Tennessee linebacker Arion Carter has been suspended for the first two games of the season by the NCAA following his return to school after his agent paid for a $427 flight to a pre-NFL Draft workout.
A document obtained through a public records request by The Knoxville News Sentinel’s Adam Sparks reveals that the Volunteers had appealed the ban and got it reduced from three games to two.
“Arion Carter represents everything that is right about college athletics, dedicating all four years of his career to the University of Tennessee,” Vols head coach Josh Heupel said in a statement to Sparks. “His high character, loyalty and leadership within our program are unmatched. We disagree with the NCAA’s ruling on punishing Arion with a multi-game suspension this fall. Arion made the right decision for his future health and well-being. He will proudly graduate from Tennessee in public health with Dean’s List honors in August. Our team stands behind AC and his family, and we can’t wait to be on the field with him during training camp next week.”
Sparks notes that the cost of the flight was repaid by Carter after he withdrew from the draft following incurring an injury during a workout. He also ended his business relationship with the agent. The Vols argued in their memo to the NCAA that Carter acted in good faith and didn’t knowingly accept an impermissible benefit.
“[Carter] acted in good faith in pursuit of a lifelong dream when he received the flight benefit,” the school wrote. “However, an injury requiring surgery and rehabilitation altered those plans. [Carter] should be permitted to return to college, receive the medical treatment he needs, and continue pursuing his athletic and academic goals without penalty.”
According to the NCAA, Carter’s hiring of an agent was for professional sports representation and not an NIL agent contract, meaning that collegiate violations would still be in play.
Carter will now miss games against Furman and Georgia Tech. He is eligible to return on Sept. 19 at home to Kennesaw State.
A native of Smyrna, TN, Carter now heads into his senior season. He’s appeared in 31 games (including bowl games) over his first three seasons. Carter has registered 161 tackles, an interception and 1.5 sacks.
