The transfer portal has become the most volatile part of college football. No matter what a player or program says or does, anyone could be gone at any moment.
That has become a reality for Tennessee football with Boo Carter's situation and the possibility of losing him before the season even starts.
With reports that Carter will rejoin the team for Fall Camp, it seems like things have been settled on the surface for now. Things are likely still sensitive between Tennessee and Carter, but they will need to be patched up for him to stay through and after this season, while not damaging the rest of the locker room.
So, who are the most likely players to transfer out of Tennessee before the 2025 season even begins? Let's take a look at three impact players who could be gone in December.
Volunteers at risk of transferring after the 2025 season
Boo Carter, DB/WR
To continue the Carter conversation, he is the most obvious player on this list. Rumors and reports have shared that there has been a falling out between Carter and his Tennessee teammates. Hopefully, those have been partially repaired so Boo can return for Fall Camp; if not, Carter will be out before the 2025 season begins.
Carter skipped some team workouts, and Tennessee's player-led leadership council called him out on it. He was approached, leading to an altercation on July 16, and has been away from the program since. He is expected to return for Fall Camp, but Josh Heupel has already made it clear that he will prioritize the locker room over one player, following the Nico Iamaleava exit.
If Heupel proceeds to stand against individual players choosing themselves over the team, Carter might be here for the season, or he might not.
Jake Merklinger, QB
Despite Jake Merklinger and George MacIntyre's Spring performances, Tennessee had to go out and sign another quarterback in the transfer portal for depth, if nothing else.
Reports emerged from spring practice that MacIntyre appeared to be the best quarterback on campus following Nico Iamaleava's departure, but Merklinger ran the first-team reps for Tennessee's offense throughout the spring.
If he falls to QB2 during Fall Camp, he could look for another opportunity elsewhere after this season. While it is expected that UCLA/Appalachian State transfer Joey Aguilar will take the starting role, Merklinger could surprise people by stealing the job.
Assuming Merklinger doesn't win the job, MacIntyre hangs around and puts on some weight. The addition of five-star 2026 quarterback Faizon Brandon could make the QB room more full than some would like, leaving at least one quarterback to decide whether to transfer.
Peyton Lewis/DeSean Bishop, RB
Tennessee is going to have a stacked running back room, full of young talent waiting for their opportunity to become Tennessee's next breakout running back in the Heupel era.
Transfer running back Star Thomas is joining Tennessee and will look to jump to RB1 or RB2 on the depth chart. Redshirt Sophomore DeSean Bishop and Sophomore Peyton Lewis have also been battling for first-team reps, but there is a possibility that one of them drops to RB3 this season.
Bishop and Lewis were almost identical backs last season. Lewis finished last year with 64 carries for 339 yards and three touchdowns. Bishop had 74 carries for 455 yards and three touchdowns last season.
If Thomas jumps either Bishop or Lewis, whichever one falls to RB3 could already begin packing his bags and start looking for a new program where he can be their starter for the next couple of seasons.
Freshmen running backs Daune Morris and Justin Baker add to Tennessee's stacked running back room as they also look to jump the depth chart in their first year on Rocky Top.