Tennessee LB Arion Carter makes generous gesture after NCAA suspension

Despite sitting out Tennessee’s first game of the 2026 college football season, linebacker Arion Carter is doing something awesome.

According to On3’s Austin Price, Carter is donating $427 to cancer research for every tackle he makes this season.

Advertisement

MORE: NCAA reduces Tennessee star linebacker Arion Carter’s suspension to one game

It comes after the NCAA suspended Carter in July after he originally accepted a $427 flight from his agent. The flight was scheduled to go to an NFL pre-draft training facility after Carter originally entered the 2026 NFL Draft. He later withdrew from the draft because of an injury.

Carter was originally suspended for three games before an appeal by Tennessee reduced the suspension to two. It was subsequently reduced to one game in late August.

This is an awesome gesture from Carter, and it’s set to start this Saturday when Tennessee travels to Atlanta to face Georgia Tech. The Vols will play a Yellow Jackets team that’s still reeling from a 14-13 loss to the Colorado Buffaloes in Week 1. The Yellow Jackets had the chance to win the game with a field goal, but the Buffaloes blocked it.

Advertisement

Kickoff for that contest will be at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Carter compiled 76 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a pass defended last year. For his career, he has 161 total tackles.

— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —