Tennessee linebacker Arion Carter is back on the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year radar.
For the second straight year, Carter has been named one of 20 semifinalists for the award, which honors leadership, courage, integrity and sportsmanship on and off the field. The semifinalists were chosen by a subset of the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Selection Committee.
Carter has become a familiar name on this list during Tennessee’s run of recent recognition. The Volunteers have had a Witten Award semifinalist in each of the last five seasons: Hendon Hooker in 2022, Joe Milton III in 2023, Bru McCoy in 2024 and Carter in 2025 and 2026.
On the field, Carter has been Tennessee’s defensive anchor. He has worn the captain’s label in every game this season and represented the program on the SEC Football Leadership Council.
He led the SEC in tackles per game in 2025 and earned All-SEC second-team honors after returning for his senior season. Carter is currently averaging a team-high 7.17 tackles per game, which ranks 13th in the league.
His impact stretches well beyond the stat sheet. Carter has dealt with multiple injuries during his career and has also supported his girlfriend through her breast cancer treatment. He has tied his own production to donations for cancer research, working with his mother’s nonprofit, Girls in Real Life Situations (GIRLS), to channel adversity into charitable work.
Carter also stays active in the community through visits with patients at Dolly Parton Children's Hospital, support for Make-A-Wish and participation in Tennessee’s VOLeaders Academy, including a service trip to Brazil. Academically, he earned his bachelor's degree in public health in August 2026 and is a three-time SEC Academic Honor Roll recipient.
The rest of the semifinalist group features Michael Allen (Baylor), Matt Craycraft (Duke), Camron Cooper (UTSA), Steven Demboski (Delaware), Mark Fletcher Jr. (Miami), Bray Hubbard (Alabama), Mason Heintschel (Pittsburgh), Hero Kanu (Texas), Lawson Luckie (Georgia), Jordan Marshall (Michigan), Maddux Madsen (Boise State), Leonard Moore (Notre Dame), Colton Phares (Appalachian State), Willie Rodriguez (Kentucky), Duce Robinson (Florida State), Isaiah Shirley (North Carolina State), Jordan Shipp (North Carolina), David Stone (Oklahoma) and Davis Warren (Stanford).
In Other News...
DeSean Bishop Is Forcing A Tennessee Debate Nobody Expected
DeSean Bishops breakout against Alabama gave Tennessee exactly the kind of jolt that can change a seasons conversation. The running back piled up 159 rushing yards and two touchdowns in that game, and he has now stacked together a season that looks more impressive by the week. Through six games, Bishop has rushed for 837 yards and 10 touchdowns, production that has forced Vols fans to reconsider just how far his rise might go.
It is still early enough to treat any Heisman talk as a long shot, but Bishop has done enough on the field to make the idea impossible to ignore. For Tennessee, the bigger point is simpler: a player once seen as a supporting piece has become one of the most important reasons the offense keeps moving, and his personal story only adds to the appeal of what could become one of the seasons most unexpected developments. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Already Has An Early Concern Fans Did Not Want
Tennessees exhibition meeting with Duke brought an unwelcome scare when guard Terrence Hill Jr. appeared to injure his ankle and headed to the locker room. The full extent of the issue is not yet known, but he is unlikely to return to the game, which immediately changes the tone around a matchup that was supposed to be more about early-season tuneups than concern.
Hill is expected to be a major part of the Volunteers rotation this season, so any missed time would matter well beyond one exhibition. Tennessees offense could feel the loss quickly if the injury lingers, and for a team trying to build momentum before the games start counting, this is the kind of setback fans were hoping to avoid. [Read more 🡒]
George MacIntyre Is Turning Tennessees QB Situation Into A Real Debate
George MacIntyre is about to get his third straight start for Tennessee, and what began as an injury fill-in now looks like something more significant for the Volunteers. With Faizon Brandon sidelined by a shoulder injury, MacIntyre stepped into the lineup and helped guide Tennessee to three straight SEC wins, giving the offense enough steadiness to keep rolling while the coaches sorted out the depth chart.
Josh Heupel has been quick to praise MacIntyres growth and the efficiency he has shown since taking over, which is part of what makes the quarterback picture so interesting heading into South Carolina. If Tennessee keeps winning with MacIntyre running the offense, the question will shift from who is available to who gives the Volunteers the best chance to keep this run going. [Read more 🡒]