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Tennessee football LB might be the most underrated player in the country

It's time for national love to start coming in for Carter.
ByBraulio Perez|
Sep 27, 2025; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Davon Booth (6) is tackled by Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Arion Carter (7) during the second half at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Wesley Hale-Imagn Images
Sep 27, 2025; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Davon Booth (6) is tackled by Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Arion Carter (7) during the second half at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Wesley Hale-Imagn Images | Wesley Hale-Imagn Images

With so many Tennessee football players picking their game up this season, it's easy for some guys to get overlooked. However, where is the national love for linebacker Arion Carter? Time and time again, Carter has looked brilliant this campaign and the same was the case in Week 5.

Against Mississippi State, Carter was a force all over the field. He finished with a mind-blowing 17 tackles on the day. Not only that, but in the overtime win, he came up with the game-sealing pass deflection on 4th down for the Bulldogs. On the year, Carter now has 49 total tackles, which is No.1 in the SEC. This guy is just a gamer and Vols fans everywhere are seeing what he's getting done.

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Looking at the clip above, that's just a brilliant play from Carter, who was also just announced as the SEC Defensive Player of the Week for his showing at Mississippi State. The game was on the line here, but he read the eyes of the quarterback and was in a spot to put his giant hand on the ball and swat it down. Ball game, Tennessee wins.

The standout 'backer is now on pace for well over 100 total tackles on the year and he's giving opposing offenses all kinds of trouble. In the middle of the defense, he's proving to be a stud for Tim Banks and the entire defensive staff.

He's of course not the only one. Tennessee now has 20 sacks on the season, which is tops in the nation. Giving up 34 points on the road against Mississippi State is concerning, but no one can argue that the Vols are living in the backfield and going after QBs.

The Tennessee defense is also first in forced fumbles, which included the awesome Tyre West FF and the scoop and score from Joshua Josephs on Saturday. Yes, there's still plenty to clean up on D for Banks and Tennessee, but guys are rising to the occasion when it matters most. Obviously. Carter is part of the list and he's just getting started.

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