Head coach Josh Heupel says the ruling is ‘completely outdated’ given the current NIL landscape in college football
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee linebacker Arion Carter will miss the first two games of the 2026 season after the NCAA handed down a suspension, prompting Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel to publicly criticize the organization’s current eligibility rules.
Following the conclusion of the 2025 campaign, Carter declared for the NFL Draft and signed with a certified agent as he explored a professional career. Under existing NCAA regulations, that decision immediately ended his collegiate eligibility.
During the pre-draft process, Carter also accepted a $427 airline ticket from his agent to attend a training session. It was during that period that he learned he had sustained a foot injury, a setback that significantly impacted his draft outlook and ultimately prevented him from maximizing his professional opportunities.
Faced with the likelihood of seeing his draft stock—and potential earnings—drop significantly because of the injury, Carter ultimately determined that returning to college was the best path forward. Just weeks after declaring for the NFL Draft, he reversed course and decided to continue his collegiate career.
Before making his return, Carter reimbursed the $427 he had received for airfare, and Tennessee voluntarily reported the eligibility matter to the NCAA.
Once Carter informed the coaching staff of his intention to come back, another hurdle emerged: whether the Volunteers still had room for him on the roster. To navigate the situation, he briefly entered the transfer portal before ultimately rejoining the Tennessee football program.
Tennessee coach unloads on NCAA suspension
Ahead of Tennessee’s first fall camp practice on Tuesday, head coach Josh Heupel strongly criticized the NCAA’s decision to suspend linebacker Arion Carter for the first two games of the season.
Heupel expressed frustration with both the punishment and the NCAA’s current eligibility rules, arguing that they no longer reflect the realities of today’s college football landscape.
“He’s done everything the right way. … The ruling that came out from the NCAA of a 2-game suspension I truly believe is bullshit,” Heupel said. “You look at the landscape of college football, the rules of NIL and everything, I think the ruling is completely outdated. I am disappointed for him, and for us, with the result of that ruling.”
The NCAA defended its decision to uphold Arion Carter’s two-game suspension, pointing to its existing eligibility rules regarding professional representation.
“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. When student-athletes violate NCAA rules, the school declares them ineligible and works with the national office to determine requirements for reinstatement, which can include repayment and/or withholding from competition.”
The controversy, however, centers on the lack of flexibility within the current system. Once a player declares for the NFL Draft and hires an agent, there is little recourse if an injury derails those professional plans before key pre-draft events or before the college offseason resumes. In Carter’s case, that left him with limited options despite ultimately choosing to return to Tennessee.
Josh Heupel stands with his player against NCAA ruling
Given the current state of college athletics, the situation has drawn criticism from many who see it as inconsistent with the broader landscape of the sport.
Across the country, programs are finding ways to maximize athlete compensation through NIL agreements and other financial arrangements, with some schools reportedly using agents to help navigate revenue-sharing limits. At the same time, top high school recruits are often committing to programs with packages that include benefits such as private air travel for both the athletes and their families, making the enforcement of older NCAA eligibility rules appear increasingly out of step with today’s environment.
With college athletics generating millions of dollars through media rights, NIL, and other revenue streams, many have questioned whether the NCAA’s current eligibility rules have kept pace with the modern landscape. In Carter’s case, the suspension will prevent one of Tennessee’s top defenders from participating in a nationally televised matchup against Georgia Tech during the second week of the season.
Heupel reiterated that Carter acted with honesty throughout the process and believes the punishment does not reflect the circumstances surrounding the linebacker’s return.
“AC at the end of last chose to enter his name in the NFL Draft process in the middle of January, right before the deadline where you have to make the final declaration,” Josh Heupel noted. “He found out he needed a medical procedure that was gonna require surgery. He made the choice, and the right choice for him, to come back to college football.
“He was upfront and honest, and paid back the four-hundred-dollar flight. He’s done everything, and handled everything, the right way. Very truthful, and upfront about everything. I think it’s unfortunate that a young man that represents everything inside of this game the right way is faced with that ruling.”
As a result of the NCAA’s ruling, Carter—despite serving as one of Tennessee’s defensive leaders—will be unavailable for the Volunteers’ first two games of the 2026 season.
Some observers have suggested Carter could have challenged the decision in court, potentially adding another legal battle to the NCAA’s growing list of cases. Instead, the linebacker has chosen to accept the suspension and remain focused on preparing for the season.
Rather than allowing the ruling to become a distraction, Carter has continued working with his teammates and approaching the situation with professionalism as he gets ready for his eventual return to the field.
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