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Boo Carter announces plans to stay at Tennessee amid transfer speculation: 'Back home'

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultzabout 21 hours

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Boo Carter
Steve Roberts | Imagn Images

Tennessee cornerback Boo Carter is staying on Rocky Top. The Vols cornerback announced he’s “back home” amid speculation he was considering entering the transfer portal.

Carter posted a simple message on social media, which also mentioned The Volunteer Club – the Tennessee-focused NIL collective – to indicate he signed a new NIL deal. The graphic also included a line from the Vols fight song to show he’s not planning to go anywhere.

“Home sweet home,” Carter’s graphic said. “To me.”

On3’s Pete Nakos and Steve Wiltfong previously detailed the latest on Carter’s situation as he weighed his next step. He’s now locked in with Tennessee after an impressive freshman season with the Vols.

The Volunteer Club, operated by Spyre Sports, previously worked with Boo Carter earlier this year to facilitate his NIL deal with Homefield. Now, the two are continuing their partnership in a new agreement that will keep him in Knoxville. Terms of the deal were not revealed.

Boo Carter coming off impressive freshman season

Carter appeared in all 13 games for Tennessee this season, totaling 38 tackles – including three tackles for loss and a sack – during that time. He also recorded his first career interception against Mississippi State. On special teams, Carter took 12 punts back for 198 yards. For his efforts, he earned an SEC All-Freshman team selection.

It was quite the debut season for Carter, who arrived as a highly rated recruit. A product of Chattanooga (TN) Bradley Central, he was a four-star prospect and the No. 111 overall player from the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also came in as the No. 3-ranked player in the state of Tennessee.

“Boo’s dynamic, athletic,” Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel said earlier this season. “Just as a young player, how he’s continuing to grow where you trust everything that goes into it as a returner. That’s essentially the quarterback back there and commanding and controlling and being a decision maker. Just continue to grow.”

Tennessee made the 12-team College Football Playoff this season, but suffered a blowout loss at Ohio State in the first round. The Volunteers ended the year with a 10-3 record in Nico Iamaleava’s first season as starting quarterback, but will now keep a key piece in tow for 2025.