The head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers is not a happy man, and the football season has not even started.
Videos by FanBuzz
Josh Heupel has used a press conference as an opportunity to blast the NCAA and its decision to suspend senior linebacker Arion Carter, who will miss the first two games of the season.
The second-team All-SEC selection in 2025 received the suspension after his agent paid for a $427 flight during the NFL's pre-Draft process.
"The ruling that came out from the NCAA, the two-game suspension, I truly believe is (expletive)," Heupel said at the team's preseason media day.
"You look at the landscape of college football, the rules from NIL — everything — I think the ruling is completely outdated. And disappointed for him and for us in the result of that ruling."
As Heupel explained, Carter had to make a choice after the 2025 season. He chose to put his name into the NFL Draft process. The linebacker then learned that he needed to undergo a medical procedure. At that point, he made the decision to come back to Tennessee for his senior season.
"He paid back the $400 flight," Heupel added. "He's done everything, handled everything, the right way. He's been very truthful and upfront about everything. I think it's unfortunate that a young man that, again, represents everything inside of this game the right way is faced with that ruling."
The Tennessee head coach stated that Carter has handled the suspension as anybody who knows him "would expect him to." This means that the linebacker is still present and competing with the team. He is still trying to impact the team positively.
Regardless of Heupel's feelings on the matter, Tennessee will have to kick off the season without Carter roaming the heart of the defense. He will miss the season-opening game against Furman on Sept. 5. He will then miss the Sept. 12 game at Georgia Tech.
Carter will have to serve the suspension and then attempt to follow up a career-best season. The 2025 campaign featured him appearing in 10 games and tallying 76 combined tackles. He registered six tackles for a loss and he posted the first sack of his college career. He added a forced fumble.
