Fall camp is a crucial period for teams not only to gear up for the season and their first game but also to resolve questions about their roster. This includes position battles, and the Volunteers currently have a competition at the STAR position in their secondary. Defensive backs coach Willie Martinez provided an update on Monday during a media session.
“Christian Harrison and Boo Carter are taking most of the reps,” said Martinez. “We know that others like Will Brooks or even Andre Turrentine could fill the spot. But right now, Harrison and Carter are the main contenders.”
The Volunteers lost their expected starter, Jourdan Thomas, for the entire season due to a knee injury. In 2023, Thomas played in 12 games and started once as a sophomore. He recorded 18 tackles, two tackles for loss, and a blocked punt during the season. His absence has led to a reshuffle in the defensive backfield, placing Carter and Harrison in competition for the starting role.
Harrison holds an advantage in experience, entering his third season of college football with 13 games played over the last two years. Carter, however, is a true freshman and was a four-star recruit from the 2024 class. Carter’s presence in the competition highlights his talent.
Tennessee’s secondary has struggled in recent years under coach Josh Heupel, making it crucial to make the right decision for the 2024 season to improve this position group.
Boo Carter – The Potential Replacement for Jourdan Thomas and Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee defensive back Boo Carter, who hails from Cleveland, Tennessee, and is ranked in the top 200 of the recruiting consensus rankings, was a crucial acquisition for the Tennessee Volunteers in the 2024 signing class. While Jordan Ross was the highest-rated defensive recruit for the Vols, Carter’s role is potentially even more significant.
EDGE rusher Jordan Ross might see playing time this fall, but he faces a challenging depth chart with James Pearce, Joshua Josephs, and Caleb Herring ahead of him. Boo Carter, on the other hand, might step into a starting role in the first week of the 2024 season due to Jourdan Thomas’s season-ending injury.
Coach Heupel discussed Carter following the Vols’ first scrimmage: “It gives all the guys opportunities. Boo (Carter) has performed really well. I thought the last couple of days, even leading into the scrimmage, have been his best, just within the scope of what we do defensively, playing within that framework, and making plays at the same time. He’s a young player who needs to and will continue to improve every day, but he’s a dynamic playmaker.”
Carter is currently competing with fellow nickel defensive back Christian Harrison. The Vols begin their season against UT-Chattanooga.
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