Boo Carter suspension: Josh Heupel updates what he needs to see from Tennessee DB

Tennessee DB Boo Carter continues to work his way toward being back in a better standing within the Volunteers’ program. However, according to Josh Heupel, Carter has already come a long way in doing just that to this point during fall camp.

Heupel updated Carter’s day-to-day status during his press conference on Tuesday morning. He said the sophomore defensive back has grown as a teammate as needed, as he’s “excited and pleased” with where Carter currently stands.

“Yeah, Boo has continued to grow on the things that we’re asking him to, to be a great teammate inside of this building every single day,” said Heupel. “You know, the charge for him, but for all of us, is to continue to do that.

“You know, Boo has continued to grow in what he’s doing on the field, so, you know, I’m excited and pleased with a lot of things we’ve seen from him.”

Carter came into camp with a questionable status within the program after being absent from several team activities. He was not dismissed from the team at that point but, coming into fall practice, it’s been made clear that he’d have to work to re-earn his previous status with the Vols.

“Boo is a part of our team here. There’s some things he’s got to accomplish to get back on the field here. Don’t have a timetable with that,” Heupel said of Carter going into fall camp on July 29th. “Our leadership council has been a part of those things, those discussions with me and with Boo. I’m proud of what they’ve done. They care and love Boo and want him to be his best too. And through this, I think Boo sees that as well…Proud of how our team has handled those things and ultimately we’ll handle those things internally.”

“You know, when we started training camp and I talked to you guys, there were steps that he had to take to continue to earn his place, you know, in the scope of what we’re doing as a football team. He has taken those steps. He’s continued to grow. I like what he’s been able to do here, in particular the last four days,” Heupel then said of the matter on August 9th after Tennessee’s first scrimmage of the preseason, which Carter took part in. “You know, what’s going to transpire? It’s a day-to-day, you know. We’re taking it day to day at this point, I guess, is the best way to say.”

This situation did not look to be in a good place coming out of last month. Now, with just over a week until their opener in Atlanta, Carter appears to be trending in a better direction than he was going into his second season, as an all-conference level player for their defense, in Knoxville.