Tennessee defensive back and return specialist Boo Carter is returning to Knoxville for his sophomore season in 2025, he announced on social media Friday evening.
Carter was a productive safety at the STAR position as a freshman and took over the starting role for the final five games of the season.
“Back home,” Carter posted to X on Friday with a picture of himself in the Vols’ all-orange uniform.
The graphic also says, “Home Sweet Home, To Me.”
Back home 🏚️! @BuckFitz pic.twitter.com/orP5VsnktI
— Boo Carter (@boo_Carter6) December 27, 2024
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Carter was a productive two-way four-star prospect on the recruiting trail and quickly made an impact on Tim Banks’ defense during his first year in Knoxville.
The Chattanooga native made his collegiate debut against Chattanooga on Aug. 31 in Tennessee’s season opener, recording 30 defensive snaps with two QB hurries in the blowout win for the Vols.
Carter played in all 13 games for Tennessee during his freshman campaign and started the final five games of the Vols’ season at the STAR position after rotating with Christian Harrison, who entered the transfer portal before Christmas. Carter recorded 38 total tackles including 28 solo tackles this past season.
The 5-foot-11, 195-pound safety also tallied three tackles for loss, one pass deflection, one sack, and one interception on the year. Carter’s interception came during an impressive game against Mississippi State in Neyland Stadium in early November.
Adding to his importance on the Tennessee roster, Carter also flashed his dynamic ability as a punt return specialist as a freshman. Carter fielded 12 punts last season with an average of 16.5 yards per return and 198 yards in total. While he didn’t break any off for a touchdown, Carter came close on a handful of occasions and did have a season-long 38-yard return against UTEP in late November.
Carter produced his best defensive statistical game of the season in the Vols’ rivalry game against Florida where he tallied seven total tackles and one sack against the Gators in Knoxville. Other impressive games included three solo tackles against Alabama, four total tackles against Kentucky, and six tackles against UTEP.
Carter’s impressive play earned him a spot on the 2024 SEC All-Freshman Team and he was named the SEC Freshman of the Week after the Florida game on Oct. 14.
The news of Carter’s return is certainly a sigh of relief for Tennessee fans as rumors and speculation swirled on Friday about him potentially entering the transfer portal. Carter’s announcement that he will be returning to the team in 2025 swiftly puts an end to any chatter online about his future next season with the Vols.
“Yeah, Boo is great energy all the time,” Tennessee DC Tim Banks said about Carter during the Vols’ fall camp in August. “He is a guy that is always 100 miles per hour. I think as he continues to grow in our program, he will continue to get a little bit more mature. We definitely like what he brings from a football perspective. He is a kid that works hard and wants to do well. He has shown some maturity, but I think you will see more once he gets his feet wet a little bit.”
Tennessee signed Carter out of Bradley Central High School in Chattanooga in the 2024 signing class.
Carter’s graphic on Friday was in connection with The Volunteer Club, Tennessee’s NIL collective.
Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for more Tennessee football news this offseason.
