Boo Carter situation reaches point that could be tough to overcome with Tennessee Vols' fall camp just days away

The bizarre saga involving Tennessee Vols standout Boo Carter continues to take a turn for the worse, and the chances of the repair of an apparent rift between the defensive and special teams ace and the program appear less and less by the day. 

That's particularly the case on Wednesday, just one week before Tennessee begins its fall camp in preparation for the 2025 season. According to Knox News reporter Adam Sparks, Tennessee team leaders have confronted Carter over him missing team activities this summer. 

Much like the situation with Nico Iamaleava in April, the news surrounding the issues between the program and Carter has escalated quickly, at least publicly. Carter being "unplugged" from the program has caused leadership within the Tennessee program to become unhappy with their young, talented defender, as per Tennessee insider and radio host Tony Basilio.  

Now, it sounds as though those issues have been voiced and put out there, which needs to happen, as whatever difference exists between Carter and the program needs to get worked out - one way or another - before the team regroups at the end of the month and turns its focus to the 2025 season. 

Heupel also is on the spot here, as he said following the spring game and Iamaleava's departure that "there is no one who is bigger than the Power T".  So, now, he has to stand by that proclamation if he wants to keep a strong culture around the program and keep other players from thinking they're bigger than the rules. 

It wouldn't be easy to play without Carter.  He's a crucial player in a number of respects and not having him would be a blow to the team.  But a distraction and an internal strife can kill a team even more quickly, so the decision should be right there in front of Heupel and the team's leadership if they can't mend fences before July 30.