What happened: Arion Carter repaid his agent for the flight after withdrawing from the 2026 NFL Draft. The trip was to an NFL pre-draft training facility.
Why it matters: The suspension removes Tennessee's senior All-SEC captain for the first two games of the upcoming season. His absence forces an early adjustment to the linebacker rotation.
By the numbers: The NCAA classified the case as a Level III violation, its basic-breach tier.
What to watch: Tennessee must settle its linebacker rotation before the opener and prepare for Carter's return in Game 3.