Tennessee Vols transfer linebacker Arion Carter could be sticking around in the SEC.

Carter is entering the transfer portal after unexpectedly withdrawing from the 2026 NFL Draft on Friday.

It’s unclear why Carter isn’t returning to Tennessee, where he spent the first three seasons of his college career, but it could be because the Vols added Penn State transfer linebacker Amare Campbell to the roster earlier this month.

Campbell has a year of experience in new Vols defensive coordinator Jim Knowles’ scheme. Carter may feel he’ll have a better opportunity elsewhere.

Multiple SEC programs are already connected to Arion Carter

According to On3’s Pete Nakos, a couple of big-time Power-4 schools are already being connected to Carter.

“Missouri, Ole Miss and USC are three schools being tied early to the Tennessee transfer,” wrote Nakos.

Ole Miss would be an interesting destination as Rebels head coach Pete Golding recruited Carter as a high school player (when Golding was the defensive coordiantor at Alabama).

Golding, in fact, showed up in Carter’s hometown the day he chose the Vols in attempt to land the coveted linebacker.

Three years later and Golding may finally get his guy.

Update:

According to On3, Vols head coach Josh Heupel is working hard to bring Carter back to Tennessee. The Vols may have a real shot to keep the linebacker on Rocky Top.

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