IRVING, Texas — For the eighth time in program history, Tennessee football has produced a National Football Foundation National-Scholar Athlete as senior linebacker Arion Carter was selected as one of 18 finalists for the 2026 William V. Campbell Trophy, the NFF and College Hall of Fame announced Wednesday.
Carter and the 18 finalists will each receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as members of the 2026 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class presented by Fidelity Investments. Carter will travel to the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas for the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 8, where his accomplishments will be highlighted in front of one of the most powerful audiences in all of sports as well as the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame class.
Launched in 1959, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards celebrate their 68th year in 2026. The awards were the first initiative in history to grant postgraduate scholarships based on both a player’s academic and athletic accomplishments. The Campbell Trophy, known as the “Academic Heisman,” is the highest scholar-athlete award in college football. The 18 finalists were selected from a record 206 semifinalists nationwide from among all NCAA divisions. Past Tennessee winners include Michael Munoz (2004) and Peyton Manning (1997).
Carter is one six SEC players on the 2026 Scholar-Athlete class, and he is Tennessee’s first since center Brandon Kennedy in 2020. Manning surprised Carter with the official announcement in a video immediately following Wednesday’s practice.
“It’s an honor to be a part of this amazing Scholar-Athlete class,” said Carter. “I appreciate everyone who has helped me get to this point, especially my family, teammates and coaches. I am excited to represent Tennessee on that stage in December. Thank you to the National Football Foundation for this recognition.”
Carter, a native of Smyrna, Tennessee, has served as a two-year captain and leader for the Vols for the past three seasons. He graduated cum laude from Tennessee in August with a degree in public health, completing his undergraduate studies in just three and a half years and maintaining a 3.53 GPA. A three-time SEC Academic Honor Roll member and Dean’s List honoree, he has combined his academic achievements with an interest in pursuing postgraduate studies in medicine.
“Arion Carter embodies everything that is right about college athletics,” said Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel. “His character and commitment to this program, his teammates and to others is contagious. He has spent all four years of his career here at Tennessee, which is a rare thing in this era. He turned an unfortunate situation into a positive, and he continues to impact people with his positive actions on and off the field. I am proud to be his coach.”
Carter’s commitment to others extends beyond football. After shaving his head in support of his girlfriend, Mariah, during her treatment for breast cancer, he pledged a portion of his NIL earnings for each tackle and other defensive achievements to Girls in Real Life Situations (GIRLS), a non-profit helping young women overcome adversity. Through game seven, Carter has raised over $19,000 with his play on the field.
He has also participated in the VOLeaders Academy’s service trip to Brazil, represented Tennessee on the SEC Football Leadership Council and visited patients at Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital. He represented UT at SEC Media Days in consecutive years, becoming one of only eight Volunteers selected multiple times.
On the field, Carter has earned All-SEC honors and accumulated 204 career tackles, including 18.5 for loss and 3.5 sacks. He has recorded 10 pass breakups, one interception and three fumble recoveries.
This season, Carter leads the Vols in tackles per game with 7.2, a figure that ranks 13th in the SEC. He owns 43 total tackles in six games with five tackles for loss and two sacks. He’s the captain of a Tennessee defense that leads the SEC and ranks ninth nationally in scoring defense, allowing only 14.7 points per game. That unit is ranked top 15 in the FBS in total defense, issuing 280.4 yards per game.
Carter played through injury during much of the 2025 season and yet he still led the SEC in tackles per game with 7.6. He helped Tennessee reach the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff in 2024, finishing 10-3 and ranked No. 9 nationally.
The Campbell Trophy, first awarded in 1990 to Air Force’s Chris Howard, has added to the program’s prestige. The trophy is named in honor of the late Bill Campbell, an All-Ivy League player and the captain of Columbia’s 1961 Ivy League championship team.
National Football Foundation National Scholar-Athletes and Campbell Trophy Finalists
Byrum Brown, QB – Auburn
Beau Brungard, QB – Youngstown State
Ty Bryant, DB – Kentucky
Arion Carter, LB – Tennessee
Jaden Craig, QB – TCU
Robert Fitzgerald, DB – Northwestern
Titan Fleischmann, OL – Montana State
Harrison Foster, S – Hardin-Simmons (Texas)
Carson Hinzman, OL – Ohio State
Bray Hubbard, DB – Alabama
Maddux Madsen, QB – Boise State
Andrew Miller, RB – Harding (Arkansas)
Dante Moore, QB – Oregon
Nick Rinaldi, LB – Vanderbilt
Duce Robinson, WR – Florida State
Shea Ruddy, WR/KR – Hillsdale (Michigan)
Gunner Stockton, QB – Georgia
Ethan Wesloski, LB – Oklahoma State
All-Time Tennessee NFF National Scholar-Athletes
2026 – Arion Carter, LB
2020 – Brandon Kennedy, C
2004 – Michael Munoz, OT (won the Campbell Trophy)
1997 – Peyton Manning, QB (won the Campbell Trophy)
1976 – Mike Mauck, DB
1970 – Don Denbo, OG
1967 – Bob Johnson, C
1959 – Neyle Sollee, FB
