When No. 24 Tennessee faces Syracuse in Week 1, defensive back Boo Carter will don orange and white, despite uncertainties during the offseason. After missing summer activities, he has rejoined the team just in time for fall camp and has been working hard to secure playing time, as noted by Coach Heupel in his press conference, stating he “anticipates” Carter’s playing this Saturday.

Coach Heupel further explained, “For all of us during the course of this week, it’s still learning, earning, taking a job and proving that you’re ready to.” Previously, reports indicated that Carter’s absence was due to multiple rule violations, contrasting with the speculative NIL disputes involving teammate Nico Iamaleava. 🎤

During training camp, Heupel addressed Carter’s return and emphasized specific goals Carter needed to achieve to reclaim his position on the depth chart. “Boo is a part of our team here,” Heupel stated, acknowledging the critical discussions that took place with their leadership council.

With a promising start, Carter, a four-star recruit, left his mark on Tennessee’s defense last season, achieving 38 tackles, three for loss, a sack, and an impressive average of 16.5 yards per punt return, nearly scoring several times.

As for his game time against Syracuse, it remains uncertain amid the shifting dynamics of Tennessee’s defensive back lineup, especially as All-SEC cornerback Jermod McCoy continues to recover from a torn ACL. Rickey Gibson III and Colorado transfer Colton Hood are likely to start, while Jalen McMurray might fill in if Carter isn’t fully ready.