For a freshman who has yet to prove himself at a consistently high level, Tennessee defensive back Boo Carter always seems to be in the news. Here we go again.

Carter, whose recruitment had far more than its fair share of twists and turns, has now decided it would be best for him to try his hand on offense. Apparently, Tennessee’s coaches didn’t have much of a say in the matter, as Carter could always hit the transfer portal for a school that would certainly give him the opportunity to play with the ball in his hands. 

This has all the makings of a total disaster.

Now, let’s be clear. I’m not saying that the Chattanooga native couldn’t play offense. I’m sure he could. However, playing offense will only slow his development as a defensive back, and he only made a handful of impactful plays last season. It’s not as if he’s so good as a defensive back that he should have extra practice time on his hands. Moreover, Tennessee’s coaches haven’t proved very adept at getting first-year receivers ready to have an impact in the fall. 

There have been far too many highly touted receivers fall flat in their first year to think Carter can be a difference-maker on offense, especially considering he has plenty of other duties. Perhaps there could be a special package for Carter to take advantage of his elite athleticism. Maybe, but I’m not so sure. 

I haven’t seen great, innovative play design since former Tennessee offensive coordinator Alex Golesh took the head coaching job at South Florida following the Vols’ offensive explosion in 2022. Since then, Tennessee’s offense just hasn’t been the same. Now, there’s talk that the Vols could move one of their most talented defensive players to help out. Too bad the Vols didn’t consider playing EDGE rusher James Pearce, Jr. at tight end. Again, there’s nothing good about this.

While Carter could play both sides of the ball and excel like former Colorado standout Travis Hunter did last season, Carter is more likely to do one of two things if he tries to split time. If Tennessee’s coaches don’t adhere to whatever re-recruitment pitch they gave him, Carter won’t be happy even if he makes a couple of plays. 

One would assume Carter would play receiver. Is he better than what the Vols have? No, even though Tennessee’s receivers aren’t what they once were.

Tennessee’s receiver room has been stripped of most of their players as they’ve headed off to the NFL or entered the transfer portal. The Vols only have three scholarship receivers on their roster, three coming in with the 2025 signing class and, most recently, transfer Amari Jefferson from Alabama signed with the Vols. Tennessee’s receivers are likely to take a step back this season, but that doesn’t mean Carter can help. In fact, he could slow the development of the Vols’ other receivers because he’ll take up valuable playing time.

There’s nothing Tennessee fans should like about this.

Simply put, other than Hunter, there aren’t any consistent two-way players in college football anymore – and for good reason. The game has gotten too complicated, especially in Tennessee coach Josh Heupel’s offense. UT’s receivers absolutely have to make the right reads or risk putting quarterback Nico Iamaleava in a position to fail. There are times in which Iamaleava makes a read and throws to a specific spot on the field. Can you trust a defensive back to navigate all of that? I don’t think so.

Here’s the other issue. While the Vols aren’t fully taking advantage of Carter’s talent now, because he’s playing nickel back or STAR, it seems drama always follows Carter. That needs to stop.

Carter was always going to be a Vol, as Off The Hook Sports reported during his recruitment, but he loved flirting with Colorado, which probably gave him the whole two-way idea. Is Carter a bit of a diva? It certainly looks that way.

If the Vols are going to use Carter on offense, it had better be simple. Moreover, I’m not so sure I would ever try to get him the ball beyond the line of scrimmage. That just seems like it could lead to disaster. If the Vols and Carter agree to some end arounds, screens and flat passes, I can live with that. Anything more and the Vols are asking for trouble.

Then there’s the issue of Carter dictating where he will play this season. Eventually, Carter should be moved to cornerback when the Vols need him there. Tennessee just isn’t getting enough out of Carter at nickel and probably never will. That’s partly his fault.

Carter started the last five games of the season but wasn’t ready to play at a high level as early last year as expected. That makes me wonder if he’ll take to an offensive package soon enough to have an impact this season. 

Let’s remember that Carter is expected to touch the ball often as Tennessee’s main punt returner this season. Isn’t that enough? If Carter demanded offensive snaps and Tennessee’s coaches acquiesced, then that’s a problem. That could set a precedent that leads to other players deciding where and when they’ll play.

Carter is a special talent. There is no doubt about that. He could play offense and excel, no question. However, doing so isn’t the best thing for the Vols; it’s the best thing for Carter, who always seems to be in the news.