After a rocky end to his time at Tennessee, sophomore defensive back Boo Carter is officially on the move - and there’s a real chance he could land with a familiar SEC foe. According to a report, Kentucky and Alabama are two programs to keep an eye on as Carter explores his options in the transfer portal. Texas Tech, Nebraska, Miami, Louisville, and Texas A&M are also reportedly in the mix.
If Carter ends up at one of those SEC schools - particularly Alabama, Kentucky, or Texas A&M - Tennessee fans might not have to wait long to see him again. The Vols are set to host both the Crimson Tide and Wildcats next season, and they’ll travel to College Station late in the year for a matchup with the Aggies. So the potential for a reunion on the field is very real.
Carter entered the 2025 season with high expectations after flashing real potential as a freshman in 2024. But things started to unravel before the season even kicked off.
He missed a few team activities over the summer - a red flag that didn’t go unnoticed. Tennessee kept him on the roster, giving him the opportunity to work his way back into the fold, but his role never quite materialized the way many expected.
Statistically, Carter’s sophomore campaign was modest. He posted 25 tackles, three pass breakups, and a sack - not bad, but not the breakout leap some had anticipated.
Special teams, however, proved to be a struggle. He muffed three punts over the course of the season, and his playing time dwindled as the year went on.
He didn’t suit up for Tennessee’s late-season win over New Mexico State, and shortly after, word surfaced that he was heading for the portal.
Following his departure, Carter released a statement saying his season was cut short due to injury. Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel pushed back on that, saying his medical staff didn’t see a need to list Carter on the injury report at any point during the season - a clear signal that the split wasn’t entirely mutual.
Now, just over a month removed from that exit, Carter is back on the radar. And while his sophomore season didn’t go according to plan, there’s still plenty of intrigue surrounding his next move.
His freshman tape showed flashes of the kind of athleticism and versatility that made him one of the more promising young defenders in the SEC. That upside hasn’t disappeared - it just needs the right environment to reemerge.
If he stays in the SEC, the narrative writes itself: Carter returns to Neyland Stadium in a different uniform, trying to prove he’s still the player Tennessee once believed in. Alabama and Texas A&M are both prepping for playoff games this weekend, while Kentucky is entering a new era under Will Stein. Each of those programs offers a different kind of opportunity - and potentially, a shot at redemption.
Wherever he lands, Boo Carter’s next chapter is going to be one worth watching.