Is the Transfer Portal More Appealing than the NFL Draft?

Tennessee linebacker Arion Carter seems to think so.

Initially, Carter declared for the upcoming NFL Draft this spring, but he has now chosen to remain in college and enter the transfer portal, as reported on Friday.

At 21 years old, Carter reached out to his former coach at the University of Tennessee and sent an email to the school’s athletic director regarding his decision.

He expressed a strong desire to earn his college degree and to have a healthier season as reasons for opting to stay. “I just have a few credit hours left for my degree,” he shared. “Being the first in my family to graduate means a lot to me. I want to stay healthy and play a full season.”

Carter also mentioned that he dealt with turf toe issues throughout the year, which hindered his performance. He plans to train rigorously for a year to refine his skills and elevate his game as a linebacker. “I want to accomplish everything that I set out to do next year,” he added.

Looking ahead, Carter expressed interest in transferring to an SEC program but remains open to other possibilities. “Of course, I want to stay in the SEC,” he said, “but I’m willing to go anywhere.”

During his junior season, Carter stood out as one of the top defensive players for the Volunteers, recording 76 total tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks.

When he first announced his intention to enter the draft via Instagram in December, Carter described the decision as challenging. “Tennessee has truly become home for me,” he wrote. “It made this choice particularly difficult.” He expressed gratitude to his coaches, trainers, and the university for their immense support. “The college experience, the game day atmosphere, and the relationships I built will last a lifetime,” he concluded. “Playing for the Power T meant everything to me.”