“ROCKY TOP LINEBACKER LEGACY: Tennessee’s Boo Carter and Branson McCoy Earn Coveted Spots on Prestigious Butkus Award Watch List”
The University of Tennessee’s football program continues to bask in the glow of a resurgent era, and the latest feather in its cap arrives courtesy of two standout defenders whose names are quickly becoming synonymous with elite play at the linebacker position. Boo Carter and Branson McCoy have both been named to the prestigious Butkus Award watch list, solidifying their reputations as two of the most dominant and promising linebackers in the college game. The recognition places them among the top linebackers in the country, marking a significant moment not just for the two players individually, but for the entire Tennessee program. Their inclusion serves as a powerful indicator of the defensive identity being forged in Knoxville and highlights the strides made under head coach Josh Heupel in elevating the Vols back to national relevance.
For Carter and McCoy, the honor is not merely a validation of past performance—it’s a clear sign that the college football world has taken notice of their impact, their upside, and their centrality to Tennessee’s aspirations this season. The Butkus Award, named after legendary linebacker Dick Butkus, is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious individual honors for defensive players. It is given annually to the top linebacker at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels. To even appear on the watch list is to be recognized as a player with the potential to dominate, lead, and redefine the standard for the position. For two players from the same team to make the list simultaneously speaks volumes about the strength of Tennessee’s linebacker corps and the future of the Volunteers’ defense.
Boo Carter, entering his sophomore season, has been a revelation since arriving in Knoxville. While initially recruited as a dynamic defensive back, Carter’s versatility, explosiveness, and instincts have allowed him to flourish as a hybrid defender with linebacker responsibilities. His freshman campaign turned heads across the SEC, with a combination of game-changing plays, sideline-to-sideline pursuit, and leadership that belied his age. He plays with a relentless motor and a clear understanding of offensive schemes, often arriving at the ball before blockers can even react. With another offseason of development and conditioning, Carter now enters his second year as a focal point of Tennessee’s defense—one expected to disrupt offenses in both the passing and running games.
Branson McCoy, on the other hand, has taken a more traditional linebacker route to prominence. A physical enforcer in the middle of the field, McCoy embodies the old-school grit and toughness that the linebacker position demands, paired with modern athleticism and coverage ability. He’s been a consistent force in the Vols’ defense, known for his high football IQ, textbook tackling, and ability to sniff out plays before they develop. His presence in the heart of Tennessee’s defensive scheme is irreplaceable, offering both stability and intimidation. McCoy’s leadership on the field, along with his growing national profile, makes him a natural fit on the Butkus watch list. He’s not just an anchor; he’s a catalyst who can elevate the performance of everyone around him.
What makes the emergence of Carter and McCoy even more exciting for Tennessee fans is the complementary nature of their skill sets. Carter’s speed, coverage ability, and agility blend perfectly with McCoy’s physicality, strength, and downhill tackling prowess. Together, they form a linebacker duo capable of adapting to any offensive attack. Whether it’s dropping into coverage against spread formations or crashing the line of scrimmage to stifle the run, the pair gives Tennessee a level of versatility and depth at linebacker that few programs can match. Their play doesn’t just influence the box score—it alters game plans and forces opponents to scheme around them.
The recognition from the Butkus committee is also a testament to the development culture being cultivated at Tennessee. Josh Heupel and his defensive staff, led by coordinator Tim Banks, have made it a point of emphasis to elevate defensive play to complement their explosive offense. While Heupel is often lauded for his offensive wizardry, the defensive strides the Vols have made under his leadership cannot be overlooked. The rise of players like Carter and McCoy from promising recruits to national award contenders is indicative of a system that is teaching, developing, and maximizing talent. It speaks to a program that is no longer content with merely competing in the SEC—it aims to dominate on both sides of the ball.
This moment also carries significance for Tennessee’s broader identity and national perception. For years, the Volunteers were known for producing offensive fireworks but often fell short on the defensive end. That narrative is now shifting. The Vols are recruiting at an elite level on defense, retaining and developing their top talents, and putting players in positions to succeed—and to be recognized nationally for that success. The Butkus watch list nods for Carter and McCoy are milestones in that process. They show recruits across the country that Tennessee is a place where defenders can thrive, be showcased, and chase individual and team greatness.
From a historical standpoint, Tennessee has produced several great linebackers over the decades, but a resurgence of elite linebacker play on the national stage has been long overdue. The inclusion of Carter and McCoy signals a return to those roots. It’s a reminder that some of the game’s fiercest competitors can and do come from Rocky Top. It’s also a challenge to future opponents: the Vols aren’t just here to score—they’re here to stop you, hit you, and turn defense into a weapon.
For Carter, the road ahead is one paved with promise and expectation. His youth, athleticism, and ability to affect all phases of the game make him one of the most tantalizing players in college football. His development into a full-time linebacker has expanded his role and potential, and if his trajectory continues, he could become one of the rare defenders whose name is mentioned in the same breath as the program’s greats by the time his college career concludes.
For McCoy, this season represents a culmination of hard work, leadership, and excellence. He’s a senior leader with NFL aspirations and a hunger to leave a lasting legacy at Tennessee. He understands what it means to wear the orange and white and has embraced the pressure of leading a defense that expects to compete at the highest level. His inclusion on the Butkus list is not only a reward—it’s a call to action to finish strong and set the standard for future linebackers at Tennessee.
As preseason buzz builds and expectations mount, Carter and McCoy will continue to prepare, train, and focus on the season ahead. The Butkus watch list recognition is an exciting moment, but both players know that individual accolades only mean so much without team success. The ultimate goal for both is to help lead Tennessee to an SEC title, a College Football Playoff berth, and perhaps even a national championship. They are not chasing headlines—they are chasing history.
The fans in Knoxville and across the Volunteer State now have two new defensive stars to rally behind, and both Carter and McCoy seem ready to deliver on their immense potential. With every snap, every hit, and every tackle, they will carry not just the weight of their own aspirations, but the hopes of a program hungry to return to college football’s mountaintop. In a sport where defensive stars are often overshadowed by offensive fireworks, Tennessee’s linebackers are demanding attention—and earning respect.
The 2025 season promises to be a defining chapter for the Volunteers, and with Boo Carter and Branson McCoy leading the charge on defense, Rocky Top may just find itself storming back into the national spotlight, not with just high-scoring offense, but with a defense built on grit, skill, and a linebacker legacy worthy of the Butkus name.
