The NCAA suspended Tennessee linebacker Arion Carter for two games because his agent paid for a flight to a pre-draft NFL training facility, the Knoxville News Sentinel reported Wednesday.
Accepting the $427 plane ticket was a Level III violation of NCAA rules, per the report.
Carter ultimately decided to forego April’s draft and returned to the Volunteers for his senior season after coming away with an injury while training.
He will have to sit out the Sept. 5 season opener at home against Furman and the Sept. 12 game at Georgia Tech.
As a junior in 2025, Carter led the Southeastern Conference with 7.6 tackles per game and earned all-conference honors.
Tennessee coach Josh Heupel gave a statement of support for Carter to KnoxNews.com.
“Arion Carter represents everything that is right about college athletics, dedicating all four years of his career to the University of Tennessee. His high character, loyalty and leadership within our program are unmatched,” Heupel said in a statement to Knox News.
“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.”
Carter repaid his agent for the cost of the flight, according to the report. The suspension was reduced from three games to two games on appeal.
Carter recorded 76 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 10 games last season. He has 161 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, one fumble recovery and one interception in 31 career games with the Vols.
