Tennessee senior linebacker Arion Carter continues to add to his season accolades as he was tabbed a semifinalist for the 2026 Butkus Award, presented annually to the nation's most outstanding linebacker, the Butkus Foundation announced.

Carter is one of 15 semifinalists nationally and one of five from the Southeastern Conference, joining Texas' Rasheem Biles, Georgia's Chris Cole, Oklahoma's Owen Heineke and Missouri's Nicholas Rodriguez. The Smyrna, Tennessee, native is Tennessee's first Butkus semifinalist since A.J. Johnson in 2014.

In seven games played, Carter has accumulated 46 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks, three quarterback hurries, two fumble recoveries and one pass breakup. According to PFF, he has generated 12 pressures.

Carter is a captain for a defense that has held six of its eight opponents to 20 points or less. The Vols are issuing just 16.3 points per game, which ranks 20th in the nation and third in the SEC. That is a significant improvement from a year ago when UT finished 91st, allowing 28.8 points per game.

Carter returned for his senior season and now owns 207 career tackles – 90 solo – to go along with 18.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and 11 pass breakups.

He is a semifinalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award, and he's a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy. As a member of the 2026 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class, he is up for the most prestigious scholar-athlete award in college football.

Carter graduated with honors from Tennessee in August with a degree in public health. He's a three-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll and served as the Vols' representative on the SEC Football Leadership Council.

Established in 1985, the Butkus Award has become one of football's most respected individual honors, recognizing the nation's premier linebackers. Finalists will be announced on Nov. 20, with the 2026 Butkus Award winner named the week of Dec. 7.

2026 Butkus Award Semifinalists

Maverick Baranowski, Minnesota

Rasheem Biles, Texas

Drayk Bowen, Notre Dame

Sammy Brown, Clemson

Cam Buffington, Iowa

Arion Carter, Tennessee

Chris Cole, Georgia

Owen Heineke, Oklahoma

Derek McDonald, North Carolina

Sammy Omosigho, UCLA

Mason Posa, Wisconsin

Ben Roberts, Texas Tech

Nicholas Rodriguez, Missouri

Tony Rojas, Penn State

Cade Uluave, BYU

Source: Yahoo Sports