Boo Carter appeared in nine of Tennessee's first 10 games.
Though the sophomore defensive back and punt return specialist said he had battled a lingering hip flexor injury since the Vols' late-October game at Alabama, he appeared in games against Kentucky and Oklahoma after that 'Third Saturday in October' loss to the Crimson Tide before Tennessee's last open date preceded the Vols' closing three-game stretch at home against New Mexico State, at Florida and home against in-state rival Vanderbilt.
Now, however, Carter's time on Rocky Top is over. After a meeting with Tennessee coach Josh Heupel Friday that also was joined by Vols defensive coordinator Tim Banks and secondary coach Willie Martinez, Carter was told he would not be permitted on the sideline with his teammates for Saturday's eventual 42-9 win against New Mexico State.
By Sunday afternoon, Carter's career was over in orange and white.
"I told them (Vols coaches) throughout the week that my hip flexor was still messed up," Carter told FootballScoop. "Friday, they told me to just go home and that was that.
"I had a meeting before we had film, before we leave for the hotel. Me and Heupel had a meeting then met with Coach Banks and Coach 'Nez and Coach Heup and they told me that from that point on, all they said was go home and we’ll reach out to you.
"I heard from them (Sunday). Basically, they said we are done and if you have any questions you can talk to the administrator. Basically, they dismissed me from the team, kicked me off the team basically."
Carter acknowledged that his absences from the team during summer conditioning and drills were an obstacle he initially had to overcome to position himself to play in the Vols' opening nine games, but he indicated he was surprised by this sudden turn of events after Heupel had this answer for a reporter last Saturday when Carter did not play and was not on the sideline.
"At the end of the day, there's a standard you've got to meet to be in that locker room," Heupel said. "He was not on the field with us. That will be my last response to anything related to that for right now."
"It was a great time at Tennessee, two years, but the season ended short for me. I’ll just say goodbye from that point on," Carter said. "Like to me, I’m confused. I don’t really know what’s going on about dismissed or the extra stuff he said in the media with me in the locker room or following the rules or standard.
"I’ve been doing everything I could. I told him I was hurt. He wanted me to play hurt throughout the whole season. I don’t know, how he’s putting it is making it sound like the stuff that happened in fall camp still [has an impact in November]."
Despite his shortened time at Tennessee, Carter proved productive for the Vols. He appeared in 22 career games during which he notched 63 tackles; Carter had 7.5 tackles for losses, one career interception, forced three fumbles this season and added six quarterback hurries. He added 352 return yards and averaged 16 yards per punt return across his two seasons.
Regardless, Carter -- a former consensus four-star prospect and 247Sports Top 150 player -- plans to continue his college career elsewhere. New rules preclude any individual from formally entering the NCAA's Transfer Portal before Jan. 2, 2026, when the window will through Jan. 16.
"I want other programs to know that I’m getting healthy and am excited about future opportunities," said Carter. "I’m just resting it right now. Staying off my leg, so that it can get back to the same strength as my other one.
"I’m looking for a team that can continue to help me get better as a player, that's competitive every week; a winning team is a priority to me, and I want to be somewhere they will utilize all my skills."
Transitioning away from his home-state school, Carter said, will be tough.
"I’d say it will be hard. You know. It was great being at Tennessee," Carter said, "but I look forward to a new beginning and being a part of another great university and community."
Heupel's Vols travel Saturday to 'The Swamp' to face rival Florida. They're seeking to close the season with three wins and post back-to-back seasons of 10 or more wins for the first time since 2003-04.