BREAKING: Tennessee Baseball Hires Kirby Connell as Assistant Coach Under Tony Vitello…
BREAKING: Tennessee Baseball Hires Kirby Connell as Assistant Coach Under Tony Vitello…
While he’s been away from the team, Carter has also obtained new representation, hiring Omar Cooper (who also represents Utah Jazz first-round pick Ace Bailey), according to a post on Cooper’s Instagram feed. Bailey and Carter — both from Chattanooga, Tennessee — are childhood friends. When reached for comment by CBS Sports, his (apparently) former agent, Isaac Conner, highlighted the lack of clarity in the situation with his response.
“I did represent Boo. However, I’m not sure I still do,” Conner wrote in a text message. “He has been non responsive and so has his mother. They posted something about Omar Cooper representing him and advising him now.”
Carter’s mother, Shareca, nor Cooper responded to a request for comment. Tennessee declined comment. Tennessee’s players finished workouts Thursday and have a short break before camp begins next week.
Heupel is scheduled to speak to the media next July 29.
Internally, Tennessee views the potential loss of Carter as even more impactful than when Iamaleava flew the coop.
Should the situation end up with Carter not returning to Tennessee, Colorado would be a school to watch as a potential destination, sources told CBS Sports.
The Buffaloes were a factor in his high school recruitment and would, in the vein of Travis Hunter, likely afford Carter the opportunity to play on both sides of the ball, which he did in high school and sparingly in spring practice for the Vols, at running back. Carter also returned punts for the Vols as a freshman.
The transfer portal is closed and Carter would not be allowed to enter the portal until the winter. However, players have managed to transfer outside of the portal in recent memory.
Among the notable players to do so include Xavier Lucas (Wisconsin to Miami) and Jake Retzlaff (BYU to Tulane). Neither player officially entered the transfer portal.
Instead, they withdrew from school and opted to walk on at their next program, utilizing a NCAA loophole within its transfer ruleset.
