Boo Carter will make his Tennessee football debut Saturday.
The freshman might be a starter on defense and special teams. He might be a backup on both. That’s unsettled. Carter’s preparedness is anything but.
“He seemed college-ready since he stepped foot on this campus in the spring making plays on the defense,” wide receiver Squirrel White said.
Carter is listed as a co-starter at STAR, Tennessee’s nickelback position, as the No. 15 Vols head into their season opener against Chattanooga on Saturday (12:45 p.m. ET, SEC Network) at Neyland Stadium.
Why Boo Carter is going to be a ‘hell of a player’
Carter was the first player White mentioned Monday while discussing the overall improvement from the defensive backs during preseason practices.
The 5-foot-11, 195-pound Carter has been “out there making plays,” White said.
Carter and sophomore Christian Harrison are listed as co-starters at the STAR position. The duo stepped up following junior Jourdan Thomas suffering a season-ending knee injury in early August.
“I feel like he has picked up on what we are trying to do here and has taken it in stride,” junior safety Andre Turrentine said. “He has been able to apply it to the game and been able to grow as not just being a high school player but an SEC player.
“I feel like if he can continue to understand what we are trying to do and his strengths and also his weaknesses, he will be a hell of a player.”
Carter was a four-star recruit and the No. 149 overall prospect in the 2024 class, according to 247Sports. He played at Bradley Central in Cleveland, Tennessee.
Christian Harrison, Boo Carter listed as Tennessee football co-starters
Harrison has played in 13 games in his career with most of his playing time coming on special teams. He played cornerback late in the 2023 season.
STARTERS: Tennessee football releases depth chart for 2024 opener against Chattanooga
The 6-1, 191-pound Harrison has the edge on Carter in experience, which could lead to him being the initial starter at STAR going into the season.
“Christian Harrison has stepped up … tremendously,” Turrentine said. “He has taken on that role. He has understood what Coach (defensive coordinator Tim) Banks is trying to get done and as a brotherhood and a secondary what we need to be successful.”
Thomas was projected to be the starter at STAR in his third season. He has played 25 games with one start, which he made at STAR against Georgia in November 2013.
Carter was expected to make a contribution as a freshman, but that role increased with Thomas’ injury. Even before then, Carter was making an impression.
“Boo Carter makes me go harder every day,” White said.
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.
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Publish date : 2024-08-26 10:08:00
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