{"id":235095,"date":"2025-07-25T13:39:07","date_gmt":"2025-07-25T13:39:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/235095\/"},"modified":"2025-07-25T13:39:07","modified_gmt":"2025-07-25T13:39:07","slug":"tennessee-football-star-skips-activities-status-uncertain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/235095\/","title":{"rendered":"Tennessee football star skips activities, status uncertain"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tennessee football<\/a> fans are holding their breath every time Boo Carter<\/a> is mentioned these days, and that\u2019s unfortunate.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s already one of UT\u2019s best players as a defensive back and dynamic punt returner. And he could be among the SEC\u2019s most exciting stars<\/a>, especially if he can add wide receiver to his repertoire<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But here\u2019s why fans can\u2019t rest and simply enjoy the countdown to kickoff of the 2025 season.<\/p>\n

Carter\u2019s status with the Vols is uncertain.<\/p>\n

Knox News has learned that Carter missed numerous team activities, and he was confronted by team leaders because of his absence.<\/p>\n

UT declined comment. But coach Josh Heupel is expected to address Carter\u2019s status at UT\u2019s on-campus media day on July 29, if it hasn\u2019t been resolved by then. Preseason practice begins July 30.<\/p>\n

Carter is not available for comment until UT begins practice. His representatives did not respond to a Knox News request for comment.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a frustrating development for UT fans, who deserve more stability.<\/p>\n

They\u2019ve been worn down by an offseason that included quarterback Nico Iamaleava\u2019s abrupt departure<\/a> over an NIL dispute, cornerback Rickey Gibson<\/a> and wide receiver Mike Matthews<\/a> flirting with the transfer portal but staying at UT and pass rusher James Pearce\u2019s NFL draft stock dropping<\/a> because he was sometimes a headache behind the scenes for the Vols, according to reports<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Give Matthews and Gibson some grace because they never entered the portal or missed team activities. There’s no manual for managing the transfer portal era. And they\u2019ve earned their teammates\u2019 trust and will be in key roles in the 2025 season.<\/p>\n

But Iamaleava and Pearce are relevant as Carter\u2019s situation plays out.<\/p>\n

Recalling that Nico Iamaleava situation escalated quickly<\/p>\n

Iamaleava\u2019s exit seemed to go from nothing to something very quickly.<\/p>\n

In April, talks between UT and Iamaleava\u2019s representatives over NIL benefits turned contentious. Iamaleava cut off contact with Heupel and teammates, and then he skipped the final practice of spring<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Iamaleava\u2019s time with the Vols was over, and he eventually transferred to UCLA<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“There\u2019s no one that\u2019s bigger than the Power T, and that includes me,\u201d\u00a0Heupel said<\/a> about Iamaleava\u2019s dismissal.<\/p>\n

The memory of that escalation should concern UT fans as Carter remains in limbo. The Vols need him to mend strained relationships with teammates and show up to team activities.<\/p>\n

If not, Carter\u2019s days with the Vols are numbered. But if he can buy in, UT can weather this storm and enjoy the benefits of Carter\u2019s talent.<\/p>\n

BOO CARTER 10 most intriguing Vols in 2025 preseason besides QBs<\/a><\/p>\n

Tennessee managed James Pearce, and it paid off for both<\/p>\n

UT has a template for the latter scenario \u2013 that is, managing the minor mishaps of a star player.<\/p>\n

Before Pearce was the No. 26 pick of the Atlanta Falcons<\/a>, he had to fend off questions from draft insiders about his character and maturity<\/a>. His stock dropped out of the top 10, but he was still a first-round pick.<\/p>\n

Fair or not, the questions stemmed from Pearce\u2019s time at UT. It was believed that he wasn\u2019t completely accountable in the little things expected of star players.<\/p>\n

UT coaches were prudent in their public criticism of Pearce.<\/p>\n

\u201c(Pearce) can be elite, but now he has to make sure he\u2019s that every day,\u201d defensive line coach Rodney Garner said in August 2024<\/a>. \u201cHe can\u2019t pick and choose when he\u2019s gonna be a pro.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026 He\u2019s very, very, very, very talented.\u201d<\/p>\n

Carter is also very talented. And like Pearce, his teammates feed off his energy and big plays on game days. But Heupel and his coaches had to manage Pearce, demand his best and hold him accountable.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, it worked out for Pearce and the Vols. But there were bumps along the way. Notably, Pearce was one of the best pass rushers in college football, but he only started 12 of 26 games in 2023-24.<\/p>\n

It’s a delicate balance, especially when dealing with players who make a difference in a season like Pearce, and possibly Carter.<\/p>\n

Why it matters that Tennessee leaders confronted Boo Carter<\/p>\n

Whether Carter plays for the Vols in 2025, there\u2019s a silver lining to this turmoil.<\/p>\n

Team leaders confronted Carter over his absence, signaling a level of accountability this young team will need.<\/p>\n

Following Iamaleava\u2019s exit, the Vols rallied together behind members of their leadership council. Those are players chosen by teammates to fill leadership roles.<\/p>\n

At SEC media days, one of those leaders, tight end Miles Kitselman, talked about how the Vols reacted to Iamaleava’s exit.<\/p>\n

“Hey, man, we want somebody who wants to be here,” Kitselman said on July 16. “If you don’t want to be here, that’s fine. We’re going to go find somebody who does.”<\/p>\n

Similarly, those team leaders weren\u2019t happy with Carter\u2019s absence, and they addressed it in line with Heupel\u2019s mantra: \u201cThere\u2019s no one that\u2019s bigger than the Power T.\u201d<\/p>\n

Granted, this dispute is over summer workouts and team activities. But those matter, especially in the new revenue sharing system where schools pay players directly.<\/a><\/p>\n

Players are expected to earn their role in more ways than one. There\u2019s still time for Carter to do that and put this to rest.<\/p>\n

Tennessee fans deserve at least that much.<\/p>\n

Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com<\/a>. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks<\/a>. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com\/subscribe<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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