Arion Carter’s Rollercoaster Offseason Ends with Return to Tennessee - and a Recharged Linebacker Room
Tennessee linebacker Arion Carter has had quite the offseason-and it’s only February. The rising senior went from NFL hopeful to transfer portal entry to full-circle homecoming, all in the span of about five weeks. Now, with Carter officially back in Knoxville, Tennessee’s linebacker unit is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing position groups on the roster heading into 2026.
Let’s rewind. Carter initially declared for the NFL Draft on December 12, a move that made sense on paper.
He’s got the size (6-foot-1), the instincts, and the production to warrant a serious look from pro scouts. But even after announcing his departure, Carter remained close to the program-literally.
He was on the sideline for the Vols’ Music City Bowl matchup with Illinois later that month, a presence that hinted the door might not be fully closed.
Sure enough, on January 16, reports surfaced that Carter had withdrawn from draft consideration and was entering the transfer portal instead. It was a surprising twist, especially with Tennessee already having added former Penn State linebacker Amare Campbell via the portal.
But just two days later, Carter made his final decision: he was staying put. The Vols got their leader back.
And make no mistake-Carter is a difference-maker. He posted 68 tackles in 2024 and followed that up with 76 more in 2025, despite missing time with injuries.
He’s not just productive-he’s smart, physical, and a tone-setter on the field. That reputation didn’t go unnoticed, either.
ESPN’s Mark Schlabach included Carter among the linebackers “also considered” for his Way-Too-Early All-America team, with Auburn’s Xavier Atkins earning the top nod and Texas Tech’s Ben Roberts joining Carter in the honorable mention category.
With Carter back in the fold, Tennessee’s linebacker room suddenly looks deep and dangerous. Alongside Carter, the Vols return playmakers like Edwin Spillman and Jeremiah Telander-both of whom flashed serious upside last season.
There’s also a wave of young talent pushing up the depth chart, including Jadon Perlotte and Jaedon Harmon, plus a pair of promising freshmen in TJ White and Brayden Rouse. And don’t forget about Campbell, who played under new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles at Penn State and brings familiarity with the system Tennessee is installing.
Speaking of Knowles, he’s one of the major storylines for the Vols’ defense this offseason. Hired to take over as DC, Knowles brings a track record of building aggressive, disciplined units.
He’ll be joined by co-defensive coordinator Anthony Poindexter, another experienced voice on the staff. But while several changes hit the defensive coaching ranks, one spot remained untouched: linebackers coach William Inge.
Tennessee chose to keep Inge in place, giving the group some valuable continuity. Inge even served as interim defensive coordinator for the Music City Bowl following Tim Banks’ departure, and his retention shows the staff’s confidence in his leadership.
All eyes will be on Tennessee’s defense when spring camp kicks off in the coming months. With Carter back, a loaded linebacker room, and a revamped coaching staff, the pieces are there for a big step forward on that side of the ball. The Vols’ defense has something to prove-and it starts in the middle.