'I want to be part of that': 4-star LB Arion Carter commits to Tennessee

Four-star Smyrna (Tenn.) linebacker Arion Carter was officially down to three schools prior to his commitment: Alabama, Ohio State and Tennessee.

But the real race was between the two SEC rivals, who went back and forth on the field this year, as well as on the recruiting trail. Carter gave the Vols another win in that department on Wednesday, pledging to Tennessee and head coach Josh Heupel over Alabama.

“After the in-home visit (with Tennessee coach Josh Heupel), I prayed on it, talked with family and said, ‘Why not Tennessee?'” Carter told On3. “Why not go somewhere that you can build your own legacy and help them build theirs instead of going somewhere else to build something that’s already been set and be part of that.”

Opportunity at Tennessee was too good to pass up

During that visit, Heupel laid out the program’s depth chart and told Carter that there was playing time available that was his for the taking. The two have built a rock-solid relationship over the past few months as Huepel took a personal interest in Carter’s recruitment. Despite the likes of Alabama, Ohio State, Auburn, Michigan and a number of other heavy-hitters getting involved, Huepel’s connection with the in-state star won out.

“I can talk to him about anything on and off the field, come to him with any problems. The relationship we’ve built over the last couple of months, you can’t get that time back,” Carter said. “It’s really been a blessing to get to know him as a coach, a father, a man and an individual. He’s a great man overall, and I feel like when you go with people who have good intentions and are good people in general, then good things will come to you. I really believe in what Coach Huepel is building at Tennessee, and I want to be part of helping build it.”

Arion Carter sees the chance to build a legacy at Tennessee

The No. 157 overall prospect in the On3 Consensus said it wasn’t an easy decision at all. He could see himself have success both on and off the field at both schools. But what set the Volunteers apart was how big of a priority he felt he was. From the recruiting department to the assistant coaches all the way up to the head man himself.

“That was the biggest factor over these past couple months, knowing that you have a coach who is putting his all into you and that’s banking on you to come help turn this program around,” Carter added. “Especially with being an in-state kid, what better opportunity in America would I have than that?”

The Vols’ success on the field this year and the realization of what Huepel had been telling him Tennessee could be was also a major factor. He believes he can be part of taking the Tennessee program to even bigger heights in the coming year.

“That played a major role,” he said of Tennessee’s 10-win season. “And I’m not saying that them beating Alabama was the go-ahead for me to commit; that wasn’t the case at all. … But it was the fact that I’ve seen a change in the program tremendously from the past decade and the last couple of years. Knowing that there’s a vision for where the program was headed, and I had an option to be part of it. I took that upon myself to want to be part of it.”

Ready to compete

With his commitment out the way, Carter can now focus on being part of the Volunteers’ class and helping them finish out the 2023 cycle strong. Tennessee already has a pair of five-star commitments in the group and now sits at No. 10 nationally in the On3 Consensus Team Recruiting Rankings.

What Huepel is building now is only just the beginning, Arion Carter says.

“I’m going to be part of a legacy that hasn’t been done before in a long time. Hopefully, we can build something to remember and get a national championship.”