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Josh Heupel dismisses Boo Carter from Tennessee football team
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- Josh Heupel dismisses Boo Carter from Tennessee football team
Tennessee football has dismissed defensive back/punt returner Boo Carter from the team, a school spokesperson confirmed to Knox News on Nov. 16, ending a tumultuous period for an in-state player who once held plenty of promise for the Vols.
The last straw was Carter skipping UT's homecoming game on Nov. 15, which the Vols won 42-9 over New Mexico State. He initially was listed as inactive along with eight other UT players who had suffered injuries. However, those players were on the sideline during the game but Carter was not.
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After the game, coach Josh Heupel said Carter was absent because "there's a standard that you have to meet to be in that locker room." But Heupel declined to comment on the matter further.
On social media, Carter wrote he was injured and entering the transfer portal.
"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the University of Tennessee Coaches, administrators and fans for a wonderful 2 years," Carter wrote. "Unfortunately my season has been cut short due to injury. I have decided to enter the transfer portal and I am excited about the opportunities going forward."
Carter, a Chattanooga native, played nine games this season as a backup nickelback and primary punt returner. He had 25 tackles, including 4.5 for loss, along with three forced fumbles. He also has 11 punt returns for 145 yards.
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Carter received special teams snaps but did not play on defense in Tennessee's 33-27 loss to Oklahoma on Nov. 1. It was the latest of the many setbacks following his offseason malfeasances , which included missing numerous team workouts and a confrontation with team leaders because of his absences.
How Boo Carter went from Tennessee rising star to dismissed player
It's been a precipitous fall and a rocky 2025 sophomore season for Carter, the former four-star recruit and 2023 Class 6A Mr. Football at Bradley Central.
He was among UT's most talented players. Last season, he earned SEC All-Freshman honors as a defensive back and return specialist. And he was a 2025 preseason All-SEC selection.
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In the offseason, Carter wanted to expand his role from defensive back and punt returner to wide receiver, making him a three-way player. But there was little progress made in spring practice.
In July, Knox News learned that Carter missed numerous offseason team activities , and he was confronted by team leaders because of his absence. Communication between Carter and the team became strained after that, but he ultimately reported for preseason practice.
At that time, Heupel allowed Carter to remain on the team as long as he met certain conditions that were not made public. What followed was a de facto suspension , although Heupel did not identify his status in that way.
Early in preseason practice, Carter was set apart from the team. He was excluded from drills and instead left to work out on the side of the field or in the indoor facility while the team practiced on the outdoor field. He also visited patients at East Tennessee Children's Hospital as part of his reinstatement.
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On Aug. 5, Carter began joining the team as a full participant in practice and participating in drills alongside his teammates for periods open to the media. He returned to the rotation in the defensive secondary, but he never regained the starting position he had earned as a freshman standout.
In 2024, Carter started the second half of the season at Star position, what UT calls its nickelback. He posted 38 tackles, three tackles-for-loss, one sack, three quarterback hurries and one interception. And he led the SEC with a 16.5-yard average on punt returns.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com . X, formerly known as Twitter @AdamSparks . Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe .
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Boo Carter dismissed from Tennessee football team by Josh Heupel
