Important Vols starter has a big choice to make about his future at Tennessee and it could be a very tough decision
An important Tennessee Vols starter has a big decision to make about his future on Rocky Top.
An important Tennessee Vols starter has a big decision to make about his future on Rocky Top.
The season isn’t over yet — the Vols will face the Vanderbilt Commodores in Knoxville on Saturday —but after the final regular-season game, decisions for the 2026 season will need to be made due to the fast-moving December and January calendar in college football.
One Tennessee player that has a big decision to make is junior linebacker Arion Carter, who is second on the team in tackles (69) depsite missing two games this season due to a turf toe injury.
Will Vols linebacker Arion Carter leave Tennessee for the NFL?
Carter has another year of eligibility remaining, but he could choose to declare for the 2026 NFL Draft following a terrific junior season at Tennessee.
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler noted this week that Carter would be one of his favorite early Day 2 prospects if he enters next spring’s draft.
“The Volunteers do have several dudes with NFL futures on defense, including linebacker Arion Carter,” wrote Brugler. “Even at less than 100 percent as he battled through turf toe injuries on both feet, Carter made his presence felt in a win over Florida last weekend. The junior averages 7.7 tackles per game (just behind Georgia’s CJ Allen for the SEC lead), and his reaction speed and instincts jump off the screen. If he declares, Carter would be one of my favorite Day 2 prospects because of his competitive makeup and presence.”
Tennessee would obviously be a better team in 2026 with Carter on the field. But it could be tough for the former four-star recruit to put off the NFL for another year to return to Knoxville next fall.
Carter will have several factors to consider when making his decision. One of those, of course, will likely be financially driven.
Former UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger was the first pick on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft. He received a signing bonus from the Cleveland Browns worth $5.2 million after being drafted (in addition to his base salary of $840,000, per Spotrac, for his rookie season).
I doubt Tennessee will be able to match that kind of cash with an NIL deal for Carter. But we also don’t know how much of an impact the finanical aspect will make on Carter’s decision.
Still, it’s clear there’s a decision to be made. And it would be beneficial for the Vols to know Carter’s plans before the transfer portal opens in early January — that way Tennessee’s coaching staff can pursue linebacker depth in the portal if needed.
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