'I'm not worried' – Josh Heupel addresses the biggest concern fans have with Boo Carter remaining on the Tennessee Vols' roster
Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel announced on Tuesday that sophomore defensive back Boo Carter has not been dismissed from the team. Carter’s status with the team had been in limbo over the past week after reports surfaced that the former four-star recruit missed several team activities during the summer. Heupel declined to get into […]
Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel announced on Tuesday that sophomore defensive back Boo Carter has not been dismissed from the team.
Carter’s status with the team had been in limbo over the past week after reports surfaced that the former four-star recruit missed several team activities during the summer.
Heupel declined to get into specifics about Carter's situation, but the fifth-year head coach told reporters that the dynamic defensive back has "some things" he has to do in order to return to the field for the Volunteers.
"Boo is a part of our team here," said Heupel. "There's some things that he's got to accomplish to get back on the field with us. Don't have a set timeline on that. Our leadership council has been a part of those things, those discussions with me and with Boo. I'm proud of what they've done. They care about and love Boo, and want him to be at his best, too. And you know, through this thing, Boo sees that as well."
Numerous reports last week indicated that several members of Tennessee's leadership council took issue with Carter's actions over the summer.
As a result of those reports, one concern that fans have with Carter remaining on the team is how it'll affect team chemistry.
Heupel, however, said on Tuesday that he's not concerned about Tennessee's team chemistry being impacted by Carter's return.
"Well, the guys on the leadership council, and I know it's true in the locker room, too, they care about the person," explained Heupel. "They care and love for him and want him to be at his best. I think that starts in life, you know, through the conversations we've had with him and then that parlays itself on the football side of it as well.
"So I'm not worried about the chemistry. At the end of the day, there's standards that we all have to meet — and that's everybody in the building. When somebody fails in that, whether they get another chance or not, you know, each situation is different. But ultimately, Boo's got to meet those standards here as we move forward."
Culture is extremely important to Heupel. And I don't think he'd make a decision that negatively impacts Tennessee's culture. So if he's not worried about Carter's return impacting team chemistry, then fans certainly shouldn't be worried.
