Michael Allen 
Arion Carter sets the defense before a play during the 2024 season
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Arion Carter is set to anchor the Tennessee defense in 2025 as team captain and a top NFL Draft prospect after a breakout sophomore season.
Arion Carter Ready to Lead Tennessee Defense in Crucial Junior Season
Heading into the 2025 season, Tennessee linebacker Arion Carter finds himself at a career crossroads. After a breakout sophomore campaign where he stepped into a leadership role following a devastating injury to veteran linebacker Keenan Pili, Carter is now poised to take his game to the next level. Not only is this his draft-eligible year, but it’s also a season where Tennessee’s defense will lean on him more heavily than ever.
Last fall, Carter was thrust into a spotlight he didn’t necessarily expect so soon. When Pili went down with a season-ending injury for the second consecutive year, Carter became the heart of the Vols’ defense almost overnight. Instead of faltering under that pressure, Carter flourished. He ended the year as Tennessee’s leading tackler, recording 68 total tackles, a testament to both his natural instincts and relentless motor. His ability to consistently find the football became a calling card of the defense, and his presence brought much-needed stability to a unit that had to adjust on the fly.
But numbers only tell part of the story. Carter’s emergence wasn’t just about tackles or statistics — it was about leadership. As a sophomore, he wore the captain’s badge with pride and maturity beyond his years. Teammates and coaches alike pointed to Carter as the emotional anchor of the defense, someone who set the tone in practice, in the locker room, and on Saturdays in the SEC’s most hostile environments.
Expectations Rising Entering 2025
Now, entering his junior season, Carter finds himself squarely in the national conversation. He’s already been named to multiple preseason All-SEC teams, with some outlets placing him on the second team and others on the third team. These accolades are no surprise to those who’ve followed his rise in Knoxville, but they do underscore just how important he has become to Tennessee’s success moving forward.
For Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks, having Carter back at the center of the defense provides a luxury few teams in the conference can claim: a proven, battle-tested leader with the respect of the locker room and the tools to impact games in multiple ways. Whether it’s diagnosing plays pre-snap, shedding blockers to make tackles in the backfield, or rallying his teammates after a bad series, Carter’s fingerprints are all over the identity of this defense.
What’s Next for Carter?
With NFL scouts already paying close attention, Carter’s next step is refining the finer points of his game. His sideline-to-sideline speed and run-stopping ability are well-established, but scouts will want to see growth in pass coverage, particularly against tight ends and running backs in space. Additionally, creating more disruption behind the line of scrimmage — whether through sacks, tackles for loss, or forced turnovers — would boost his draft stock considerably.
At 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds, Carter has the ideal frame for a modern SEC linebacker. Physically, he checks every box. Mentally, he’s taken strides with his film study and understanding of offensive schemes. What comes next is showing the consistency to dominate week in and week out, especially in Tennessee’s toughest matchups against the likes of Georgia, Alabama, and Florida.
Leadership Beyond the Field
Carter’s impact isn’t confined to what happens between the white lines. Off the field, he’s become one of the faces of the Tennessee program. Whether it’s mentoring younger players, representing the team at media days, or setting the standard in the weight room, Carter embodies the culture head coach Josh Heupel has worked to instill since arriving in Knoxville.
Former Tennessee linebackers — from Al Wilson to A.J. Johnson — have spoken about the responsibility that comes with being the leader of the Vols’ defense. Carter has embraced that tradition fully. He’s repeatedly spoken about his desire to leave Tennessee better than he found it, and part of that mission includes mentoring the next generation of Vol defenders.
Eyes on the NFL, But Focused on the Present
While his name is sure to surface in NFL Draft conversations this fall, Carter’s focus remains squarely on helping Tennessee contend for a National Championship. With high-profile games and national television exposure awaiting, he’ll have every chance to showcase his skills on the biggest stages.
The 2025 season offers Carter a golden opportunity — not just to elevate his own draft stock, but to cement his legacy as one of the great linebackers to wear orange and white. Tennessee fans know how special No. 7 can be. Now, it’s time for the rest of the country to find out.
If Carter continues on his current trajectory, don’t be surprised to hear his name called early next spring when the NFL Draft rolls around. For now, though, his focus remains right where it should be: leading Tennessee’s defense, week by week, into what could be a season to remember on Rocky Top.
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