00:00Tennessee's Arian Carter suspended two games over $427 flight. The NCAA has suspended Tennessee
00:07linebacker Arian Carter for the first two games of the season for accepting a $427 flight from
00:14an agent after he declared for the NFL draft. Carter, a senior from Smyrna, Tennessee, played
00:20through a foot injury late in the 2025 season. After declaring for the draft, he aggravated the
00:26injury and needed surgery and ultimately decided to return to Tennessee for another season. In a
00:32statement, Volunteers coach Josh Hoipel said Carter disengaged from the agent and repaid him for the
00:38flight in January. A Tennessee source told ESPN that the NCAA originally suspended Carter three games,
00:46but the Volunteers appealed the penalty, which was reduced to two games. NCAA rules are clear.
00:52Student-athletes may not sign with agents to pursue NFL draft opportunities, and this student-athlete
00:58knowingly violated those long-standing rules, the NCAA said in a statement. When student-athletes
01:04violate NCAA rules, the school declares them ineligible and works with the national office
01:10to determine requirements for reinstatement, which can include repayment and or withholding
01:15from competition. According to sources, Tennessee self-reported the Level 3 violation in February,
01:21and the NCAA enforcement staff took no further action. Carter will miss the Volunteers opener
01:27against FCS program Furman at home on September 5th and a September 12th road game at Georgia Tech.
01:34He will be eligible to return for a September 19th game against Kennesaw State.
01:39Arion Carter represents everything that is right about college athletics,
01:43dedicating all four years of his career to the University of Tennessee,
01:47Hoeple said in a statement on social media. His high character, loyalty, and leadership within
01:53our program are unmatched. We disagree with the NCAA's ruling on punishing Arion with a multi-game
02:00suspension this fall. Arion made the right decision for his future health and well-being.
02:04He will proudly graduate from Tennessee in public health with Dean's List Honors in August.
02:10Our team stands behind AC and his family, and we can't wait to be on the field with him during
02:15training camp next week. Carter had 76 tackles with 1.5 sacks and one fumble recovery last season.
02:23Linebacker is one of the Volunteers' deepest positions after former Penn State linebacker
02:28Amare Campbell transferred to Tennessee this past offseason. Linebacker Edwin Spillman was a
02:34freshman All-American after leading the Vols with 81 tackles in 2025.
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