A new development could pave the way for Tennessee LB Arion Carter’s suspension to be overturned, but it’s complicated
Tennessee Vols linebacker Arion Carter is suspended for the first two games of the 2026 season, but maybe that changes thanks to a new ruling.
A new development in college football on Wednesday could potentially pave the way for Tennessee Vols linebacker Arion Carter’s two-game suspension to be rescinded.
Carter is suspended for the first two games of the season because he accepted a $427 plane ticket from his then-agent while he was preparing for the NFL Draft. Carter returned to Tennessee in January after learning he would need surgery that would prevent him from participating in the pre-draft process (and he repaid the money for the ticket). Nearly everyone (except the NCAA) agrees that the suspension is complete nonsense considering players are getting paid millions of dollars in some cases to play college football.
But nonetheless, he’s suspended for the first two games of the season.
New development could help Arion Carter’s case
A temporary restraining order was issued on Wednesday by a judge in Louisiana that paves the way for some Class of 2022 players to return to college for a fifth season. Some of those players have been in NFL training camps.
If a player in an NFL training camp is now going to be allowed to play college football, I don’t know how the suspension can be held up for Carter. It would make no sense.
But this is a more complex situation than it seems on the surface. The NCAA is not happy about these 2022 players being allowed to play. And the NCAA is appealing the original decision that allows 2022 players to return (for a fifth season of eligibility). I’m sure they will not be happy that players in NFL training camps can now also play in 2026. They’re going to continue to fight this, and there’s no timeline on how long it could take for this to all play out.
The risk for Tennessee if the Vols play Arion Carter
That’s where it gets tricky. If Tennessee plays Carter early in the season and the NCAA wins an appeal down the road, could they retroactively punish Tennessee in some way?
And if Tennessee is in the College Football Playoff picture, would the committee possibly hold it against the Vols that they played a player the NCAA believes should’ve been suspended for two games?
We’ve already seen NCAA Tournament Selection Committee members suggest they would hold it against teams if they play a player the NCAA thinks should be ineligible.
The College Football Playoff Committee is made up of different members, but there are athletic directors on both committees, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if the line of thinking is similar.
It’s a complex situation. And like most things in college football, I’m not sure we’re going to get quick clarity on it (maybe Carter will need to file his own lawsuit, citing the ruling issued on Wednesday, arguing that he should be able to play).
But logically, it makes sense that if players who have participated in NFL training camps can play without being suspended, then there’s no way Carter can be suspended for the first two games of the season.
Of course, the NCAA’s decision-making often defies logic, so I may be a fool for seeing it this way.
