Arion Carter’s selection as part of the Tennessee football contingent at SEC Media Days should be all the proof that anyone needs. The Vols linebacker is a proven star.
Just a junior, Carter will attend the annual meeting with reporters, scribes and hosts next week in Atlanta. It will be his first time at SEC Media Days, but he has plenty of experience where it matters, – on the field. The former Smyrna (Ga.) High School star played in eight games as a freshman in 2023 before starting 13 games last season as a sophomore.
Carter led the Vols with 68 tackles last season, but stats don’t really prove his worth. The linebacker has been a rock at a rather rocky position for Tennessee in recent years.
On several occasions, Carter has been asked to pick up the slack when former Tennessee football linebacker Keenan Pili went down early in the last two seasons with injury. A transfer from BYU, Pili was supposed to be an experienced leader who could handle all the defensive play calls. Obviously, that didn’t happen.
Thrust into the role of play caller last season, Carter did quite well. The Vols didn’t seem to miss a beat. Tennessee finished the season second in the SEC in total defense, allowing just 293 yards per game, and third in the SEC in scoring defense, allowing just 16 points per game. The Vols should be better this season with numerous starters returning on defense.
Tennessee’s defense was a welcome necessity last season as the offense floundered throughout the year. That could again be the case this fall as the Vols are breaking in a new quarterback, a new featured running back, a new trio of receivers and a rebuilt offensive line.
There is no question. This Tennessee team has the makeup of another defensive-minded crew. Carter will be a big part of that.
During his career, Carter has been one of the better linebackers in the SEC. He should be even better this season, assuming middle linebacker Jeremiah Telander can stay healthier than Pili was able to during his time as a Vol.
If Carter has to handle the defensive play calls, that’s fine. He’s proven he can handle that chore, and he’ll do so efficiently. However, Telander may well take over that duty considering it often is bestowed on a team’s middle linebacker. If Telander takes over play-calling, Carter can play more free, which would take advantage of his athleticism. Either way, Carter should be a significantly better player that he was last season, which was pretty good.
Off the field, Carter is also significant. It’s no secret that the Vols have to have success recruiting around Nashville. A superstar season for Carter could mean more prospects from his hometown and surrounding areas could choose the Vols.
One would think that Carter would be headed off to the NFL after this season, and that would have certainly once been the case. After all, he’s established himself in college and seems destined to play in the pros. However, things have changed.
If Carter continues to star, Tennessee football could make him an NIL priority. UT convinced tight end Miles Kitselman to return for another season of eligibility when he could have entered the NFL Draft. Carter may end up being the Vols’ most productive player this season. If so, Tennessee should be ready to write a check to keep him on campus.
UT figures to be a defensive-minded team once again. If that’s the case, Carter will most likely be in the middle of it all. That means he could be returning to SEC Media Days in 2026.
