Jul 20, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Arion Carter (7) speaks to the press during SEC Football Kickoff Media Day at the Tampa Marriott. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
In July, Tennessee LB Arion Carter received a two-game suspension from the NCAA after accepting a $427 flight from a sports agent before the 2026 NFL Draft.
He accepted the money to help cover travel costs to a pre-draft facility. Ultimately, Carter had repaid the money to the agent.
On Tuesday, Carter's suspension was limited to one game, per Austin Price of On3Sports.com. Meaning that Carter will be eligible to play for Tennessee's game against Georgia Tech on Sept. 12.
Carter had declared for the draft in December 2025. During the season, he suffered a foot injury in which he ruptured the MTP joint and plantar plate. In January, he reaggravated the injury and had to undergo surgery.
That month, Carter withdrew from the draft.
He finished the season with 28 solo tackles and averaged 1.5 sacks. In the meantime, Tennessee finished the season at 8-5 and 4-4 in the SEC. They reached the 2025 Music City Bowl in Nashville. Ultimately, Tennessee would lose to Illinois 30-28.
The NCAA has rules that prohibit college players from accepting payments and signing with agents to maintain amateurism.
After the decision, Tennessee athletics director Danny White issued a statement, per ESPN.
“While I strongly agree with Josh Heupel's comment about how ridiculous this is in our current environment, 1 game is better than 2,” Whtie said “If players around the country are allowed to leave NFL camps and play college football, the NCAA should do the right thing and drop it all altogether.
“This is yet another example of applying archaic rules from another era, without evolving and, most importantly, putting student-athletes' experiences above bureaucracy. Arion doesn't deserve this unnecessary distraction.”
The Volunteers kick off the season on Sept 5. against Furman.