Arion Carter’s season at Tennessee has been about more than tackles, sacks and takeaways, and now the numbers off the field are putting him in the national spotlight, too.
The Tennessee linebacker is one of 18 finalists for the William V. Campbell Trophy, the award widely known as the “Academic Heisman” for honoring academic achievement, football excellence and leadership.
The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame announced the finalists on Oct. 21, and each one will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship. The winner will be revealed Dec.
“It’s an honor to be a part of this amazing Scholar-Athlete class,” Carter said in a release. “I appreciate everyone who has helped me get to this point, especially my family, teammates and coaches.
I am excited to represent Tennessee on that stage in December. Thank you to the National Football Foundation for this recognition.”
Carter has also turned a difficult chapter into a powerful response this season. After a previous NCAA suspension for accepting a $427 flight to an NFL pre-draft training facility, he pledged to donate $427 for every tackle he records this year to cancer research.
He added $500 for each sack, $1,000 for every interception or forced fumble and $5,000 for every defensive touchdown. Through seven games, he has raised more than $19,000.
His impact stretches well beyond the stat sheet. Carter, a two-year captain for the Vols, has supported his girlfriend, Mariah Bryant, who was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in February. He cut his hair to match hers while she goes through chemotherapy.
UT coach Josh Heupel praised Carter’s influence in the program and beyond.
“Arion Carter embodies everything that is right about college athletics,” coach Josh Heupel said in UT's release. “His character and commitment to this program, his teammates and to others is contagious.
He has spent all four years of his career here at Tennessee, which is a rare thing in this era. He turned an unfortunate situation into a positive, and he continues to impact people with his positive actions on and off the field.
I am proud to be his coach.”
Carter’s community work has also included a service trip to Brazil, a role on Tennessee’s SEC Football Leadership Council and visits with patients at Dolly Parton Children's Hospital in Knoxville.
He graduated cum laude from Tennessee in August 2026 with a degree in public health and a 3.53 GPA.
Carter is the eighth Tennessee player to be nominated for the Campbell Trophy since it was created in 1990. Quarterback Peyton Manning won the award in 1997, and offensive lineman Michael Munoz followed in 2004.
“The Campbell Trophy represents everything right in college football,” NFF Chairman Archie Manning said in a release. “These 18 finalists have competed at an extraordinary level while embracing the demands of the classroom and making a meaningful difference in their communities. They understand that success is about more than what happens on Saturdays, and we are proud to recognize them as examples of the character, discipline and leadership that make college football so special.”
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