According to Adam Sparks of Knox News on Wednesday, Tennessee linebacker Arion Carter has been suspended for two games after his agency paid for a flight to an NFL training facility this offseason.
Carter decided to return to Tennessee in January after withdrawing from the NFL draft after declaring for it in December. His ban was linked to his agent covering the cost of a $427 airfare to a training facility during that pre-draft process, according to Sparks, a Tennessee official.
Carter will miss the Volunteers’ first two games of the 2026 season due to the suspension, which head coach Josh Heupel resisted, according to Sparks.
Tennessee vehemently objects to Carter’s multi-game punishment by the NCAA:
“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.”
Heupel also revealed that Carter returned to the Tennessee football program after withdrawing from the draft due to a medical procedure. SEC Media Days was just concluded by the Volunteers. Tennessee will then start fall camp in early August.
