Boo Carter is no longer a member of the college football program at Tennessee. The former four-star recruit and the Volunteers chose to part ways over the weekend.
This sudden departure puts an end to a very tumultuous tenure in Knoxville.
Both the college football player himself and his mother claim his exit has nothing to do with the lingering off-field issues. They say it has more to do with an injury.
Who is Boo Carter?
Boo Carter, whose birth name is Orlando, ranked as one of the top 150 players in the recruiting Class of 2024 as a four-star prospect. He ultimately chose to stay home and play for Tennessee over 45 other offers from schools all over the country like Michigan, Ole Miss, Arizona State, Miami Penn State, Florida State, TCU and Colorado.
Although Carter made 63 total tackles and two sacks with three forced fumbles and an interception in 21 games for the Volunteers, his time with the program will be remembered as an overwhelming disaster.
The rising sophomore missed multiple team activities (workouts, meetings, etc.) over the summer and even stepped away from the program for a brief period of time in July. That was only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to his behavioral issues in the last six-to-12 months.
There were even some rumors about gang ties, which his mother very quickly shut down.
“Let me clear some st up real fast! My son Boo Carter ain’t got st to do with st going on! He not affiliated with no Gang! So whoever running telling the school st get ya facts right! Far as somebody supposedly saying he can’t come back to the city to try some! Yall think I’m all talk ight! I’ll sit down for mine and majority know I will! Play P—- AND GET F—– RS!”
Ms. Carter — who goes by ‘MommaBoo — later added fuel to the fire with a cryptic comment about her excitement to “mfn go,” which presumably meant transfer. She is a very important character in this story.
Tennessee is moving on.
Boo Carter chose to stick with Tennessee for the 2025 college football season. However, he did not appear in the Volunteers’ most recent game on Saturday and was absent from the sideline.
When asked about what happened, Josh Heupel made it sound like Carter did something wrong.
“At the end of the day, there’s a standard that you have to meet to be in that locker room,” the head coach said. “He was not out on the field with us.”
And then Matt Zenitz and Chris Hummer dropped a bomb on Sunday morning. Tennessee decided to to part ways with Carter and dismissed from the team.
Boo Carter announced his decision to enter the transfer portal not too long thereafter, citing an injury.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank The University of Tennessee Coaches, administrators and fans for a wonderful 2 years. Unfortunately my season has been cut short due to injury. I have decided to enter the transfer portal and I am excited about the opportunities going forward!”
Vols fans did not believe him. They thought he quit on his team and/or got kicked off for not caring.
MommaBoo set the record straight.
Boo Carter’s mother has been very active on Facebook since the news broke on Sunday. She wants everybody to know that she and her son will be just fine.
“Bruh we not down our feelings don’t work like that ! Ion even know if I have feelings 😂 im not a sensitive female! N my crown never tilts ! (THAT MOM) We moving forward! Everyone else should as well!
⏳ no more talking bout it !!! Yall will see the next move‼️”
She also posted proof of the defensive back’s injury and leaked a text message with one of his coaches in defense of his character. MommaBoo knows he is a great teammate. (The post has since been deleted.)
There are always three sides to every story. In this case it is Carter’s side, Tennessee’s side and the truth.
And yet, you cannot claim he is not injured. The medical report is right there.