The NCAA suspended Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Arion Carter for the first two games of the upcoming season after an agent paid for a $427 plane ticket to kickstart his pre-draft process. After sustaining an injury before the draft, Carter ultimately opted to return to Rocky Top for an extra season of college football.
Josh Heupel Slams NCAA’s Arion Carter Suspension
While speaking to reporters on Tuesday, coach Josh Heupel slammed the NCAA for its punitive ban on Carter despite college sports being at the apex of the NIL era.
“The ruling that came out from the NCAA, the two-game suspension, I truly believe is bulls**t,” Heupel said. “You look at the landscape of college football, the rules from NIL, everything, I think the ruling is completely outdated. Disappointed for him and for us in the result of that ruling.”
The talented linebacker paid back the agent for the cost of the flight and cut ties with him, but the NCAA deemed his actions a Level III violation. Players and their families still aren’t permitted to accept material benefits from agents, transportation included. The NCAA’s own explanation went further than the flight: “NCAA rules are clear: student-athletes may not sign with agents to pursue NFL Draft opportunities, and this student-athlete knowingly violated those longstanding rules.”
In a crucial season for Heupel on Rocky Top, Carter will miss the Sept. 5 opener against the Furman Paladins and the Sept. 12 trip to the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, returning against Kennesaw State. Tennessee self-reported the violation, and the NCAA classifies Level III infractions as basic breaches of conduct, which makes a multi-game suspension an unusually heavy outcome.
The linebacker, who missed three games last season after sustaining a foot injury, initially received a three-game suspension before the NCAA reduced it to two.
After the suspension was announced, Heupel released a lengthy statement expressing his support for the linebacker.
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“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. “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 this week.”
Despite an injury-hit season, Carter tallied 76 total tackles (28 solo), 1.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble and 1 pass defended for the Vols.
