The Tennessee Volunteers are being projected to finish in the middle of the SEC—perhaps due in part to uncertainty at the quarterback position heading into fall camp. Former five-star QB Nico Iamaleava made a sudden decision to leave the program just before the team’s spring game. On the Try That in a Small Town podcast, Kirk Herbstreit suggested the departure may have stemmed from concerns within the Iamaleava family about the team’s development around their son.
“You got to get better around him if you want us to stick around. Which blows my mind that a college quarterback’s dad would do that to a head coach,” Herbstreit shared.
Another unexpected situation has emerged recently—this time involving sophomore defensive back Boo Carter. Unlike Iamaleava’s case, Carter’s situation appears tied to missed team activities.
“Tennessee sophomore defensive back Boo Carter is expected to be one of the Volunteers' best players in 2025 on defense, offense and special teams, but his status with the team is unclear as we inch closer to August. Carter has missed ‘numerous’ team activities and was even confronted by team leaders because of his absences, according to the Knoxville News Sentinel,” CBS Sports’ Jordan Dajani wrote.
Adding to the confusion, Carter has reportedly changed agents—raising eyebrows after his previous agent admitted he no longer knows if he still represents him.
“I did represent Boo. However, I'm not sure I still do," Isaac Conner wrote in a text message to CBS Sports. "He has been non responsive and so has his mother. They posted something about Omar Cooper representing him and advising him now."
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If Cooper’s name sounds familiar, it's because he also represents Chattanooga native Ace Bailey, who recently drew controversy ahead of the NBA Draft.
“Leading up to the NBA draft, Ace Bailey's representatives informed a team drafting inside the top five they didn't want that team to select the Rutgers wing, and that he wouldn't report if they did, sources told ESPN,” ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Tim Bontemps wrote.
Those were Cooper’s words to franchises before Bailey was ultimately drafted. Despite the warning, Bailey signed with the Utah Jazz—but the situation drew heavy media scrutiny and raised concerns about Cooper’s guidance.
If Carter is now being advised by the same agent, it could spell trouble for Tennessee. With head coach Josh Heupel expected to speak at the start of camp, an official update on Carter’s status should be coming soon.