Tennessee's Arion Carter Suspended by NCAA Over $427 Flight to NFL Pre-Draft Training Facility

Tennessee linebacker Arion Carter has been suspended two games after his agent paid for a flight to an NFL training facility this offseason, Knox News' Adam Sparks reported Wednesday.

Carter declared for the NFL draft in December before withdrawing and ultimately deciding to return to Tennessee in January.

According to Sparks, a Tennessee spokesperson confirmed Carter's suspension was related to his agent paying for a $427 flight to a training facility during that pre-draft process. Carter paid his agent back for the flight, according to Sparks.

Tennessee coach Josh Heupel pushed back against the suspension, which will sideline Carter for the Volunteers' first two games of the 2026 season, Sparks reported.

"We disagree with the NCAA's ruling on punishing Arion with a multi-game suspension this fall," Heupel said in a statement shared with Sparks. "Arion made the right decision for his future health and well-being."

The NCAA still ruled the linebacker committed a Level III violation and issued a three-game suspension that was reduced to two games following appeal by Tennessee.

Carter will be eligible to return for a Sept. 19 matchup against Kennesaw State, per Sparks.

According to Sparks, Tennessee argued Carter "acted in good faith" and said the linebacker would have pursued an NFL career had his plans not been changed by injury.

Carter confirmed last week at SEC Media Days he withdrew from the draft after learning he needed surgery on an issue related to the turf toe he played through in 2025.

The linebacker's NFL workout would likely have taken place weeks after the NCAA sent out a memo to student-athletes about the process leading up to the 2026 NFL draft.

The NCAA memo referred to what the organization described as a phase where athletes "test the waters" regarding a potential professional career.

During that phase, the NCAA stated that only NFL teams can pay for expenses related to players attending workouts or tryouts with the team.

"It is not permissible for any other individual (e.g., agent, runner or advisor) to pay for your expenses in conjunction with any tryout or workout with a professional team," the memo read.

The memo also stated players are not allowed to receive benefits from agents including transportation.

Carter said during his media days appearance last week he felt he had "made the greatest decision I possibly could have made" by choosing to come back to Tennessee.

The Volunteers could lean on Penn State transfer Amare Campbell alongside returning players like Edwin Spillman and Jeremiah Telander until Carter is able to make his return later this fall.