Arion Carter sets $6,551 donation after Kentucky win

Tennessee linebacker Arion Carter will donate $6,551 toward cancer research, treatment and related expenses after recording a season-high 13 tackles in the Volunteers’ 34-6 win against Kentucky on Saturday.

Carter’s performance included four tackles for loss and two sacks. His pledge assigns $427 to every tackle and $500 to every sack. The 13 tackles generated $5,551, with another $1,000 from the sacks. Tackles for loss do not carry a separate amount under the structure reported by On3 Tennessee.

The senior created the campaign in honor of his girlfriend, Mariah Bryant, during her cancer battle. The money will support Nashville-area cancer treatment through Sisters Network and help cover Bryant’s bills.

Carter also has pledged $1,000 for each interception or forced fumble and $5,000 for a defensive touchdown. On3 Tennessee reports his running total at $27,193 after the Kentucky game. Its itemized list contains eight games, though the article describes the total as coming through seven games.

The $427 figure traces to the cost of a flight Carter’s agent paid for during the NFL pre-draft process. Carter repaid the flight, but the NCAA ruled it a Level III violation. The initial two-game suspension was reduced to one game.

Carter missed Tennessee’s season-opening 56-9 win against Furman. Coach Josh Heupel still selected him as the Volunteers’ lone captain before that game and described him as the strongest leader in Tennessee’s locker room.

Carter had declared for the NFL Draft in December before reversing that decision in January. A medical evaluation determined that he would be unable to participate in the NFL combine or Tennessee’s pro day. After dealing with turf toe late in his junior season, he later underwent toe surgery.

Why it matters

Carter’s production against Kentucky raised his reported campaign total to $27,193. His pledge ties each listed defensive statistic to support for cancer care and Mariah Bryant’s expenses.

What to watch next

Carter’s future contributions will continue to rise based on his tackles, sacks, interceptions, forced fumbles and defensive touchdowns this season.