Tennessee coach blasts NCAA suspension of linebacker Arion Carter as outdated

Tennessee coach Josh Heupel criticized the NCAA's two-game suspension of linebacker Arion Carter as "bullshit," calling the rule that triggered it outdated after Carter briefly declared for the NFL Draft. Carter declared for the draft, hired an agent, and accepted a $427 plane ticket before a foot injury led him to return to college. He repaid the ticket, and Tennessee self-reported the violation, but the NCAA upheld the suspension for signing with an agent. The NCAA defended its ruling, citing longstanding rules against agents, while Heupel argued the punishment ignores the modern NIL landscape. Carter will miss Tennessee's opening games of the 2026 season, including a primetime matchup against Georgia Tech.