NCAA suspends Tennessee linebacker for $427 plane ticket, as college sports hands out millions in NIL

Tennessee's Arion Carter returned from injury to play college football, but the NCAA suspended him two games for accepting a flight from an NFL agent.

Tennessee’s defense just took an early blow. Lineback Arion Carter has been suspended two games by the NCAA after accepting a gift from his agent — a $427 flight to an NFL pre-draft facility, which violated NCAA rules. Carter committed a Level III violation, which the NCAA refers to as a basic breach of conduct, and hi

The NCAA suspended Tennessee senior linebacker Arion Carter for two games for accepting a $427 flight from an agent, the Volunteers said Wednesday.

Carter explored entering the 2026 NFL Draft before returning to school and reimbursing the agent for the flight.

NCAA suspends Tennessee linebacker Arion Carter for two games tied to $427 flight  Toronto Star

The Vols are protesting a decision from the NCAA that will cost Tennessee its top returning defender for the first two games of the season

Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said the team stands behind Arion Carter, who repaid an agent for the flight after withdrawing from NFL Draft.