‘He is back in Knoxville’ – Vols insider gives the latest on Tennessee defensive back Boo Carter
Fall camp is set to get underway for the Tennessee Vols this week, which means that UT fans should soon know if sophomore defensive back Boo Carter will be on the team this fall. Carter's status with the Volunteers is in limbo after the Chattanooga native reportedly missed numerous team activities this summer. Vols head […]
Fall camp is set to get underway for the Tennessee Vols this week, which means that UT fans should soon know if sophomore defensive back Boo Carter will be on the team this fall.
Carter's status with the Volunteers is in limbo after the Chattanooga native reportedly missed numerous team activities this summer.
Vols head coach Josh Heupel will speak to the media on Tuesday afternoon, where he's expected to address Carter's status.
Ahead of that media session, VolQuest's Austin Price gave the latest on Carter's situation during an appearance on 104.5 The Zone's Ramon and Will.
"It's still to be determined," said Price when asked about Carter's status. "He is back in Knoxville. I believe he will talk with Tennessee's staff today, and kind of get a game plan and see what transpires. We'll know something, I think, sometime today. Josh Heupel will meet the media at 12:45. Maybe we found out before then, maybe we don't.
"But I think for Boo, he's got to do right by his teammates, and that's where all of this is going to circle back to. When you are not around your team, when you are away from your team, it puts you in the crosshairs with the team. And I think right now, Boo has got to figure out what he needs to do to make up for the fact that he's been away from his teammates. And you have players on this team that have been grinding, they've been putting the work in, they've been sweating and doing all the things you have to do in summertime. And then you have Boo, who missed a chunk of time. And I think for Josh Heupel and company, it's all about finding what's best for this team heading into fall camp, because ultimately, your chemistry is the most important thing you have going."
"This is a Josh Heupel decision," continued Price. "But absolutely Josh Heupel is going to take into account what his leadership council has to say. If you've got your team saying, 'We want this guy on our team', then you're more likely going to give that kid a second chance, because the players are going to bat for him. If you have a situation where the team is like, 'We're better off without this person', then it makes things a little bit more dicey for the head coach on what he decides to do. So I think ultimately, you're going to lean on your leadership council and get their collective decision.
"But at the end of the day, Josh Heupel is the leader of the program, he's got to make the decision that benefits Tennessee the best. And ultimately, I think this comes down to a conversation with Josh Heupel and Boo Carter. And Boo has to show his mind is in the right place, that he is contrite and wants to be a part of the team and will be a good teammate for his team. And if those things happen, then I think Boo has a path to being back on this football team."
Tennessee is a better team with Carter on the field — but only if Carter is completely bought in.
Vols fans will soon find out whether Carter is all in, or if he'll be spending his fall somewhere other than Rocky Top.
