With the loss of Tawfiq Byard and Carter Stoutmire, Colorado needed a playmaker in the transfer portal to maintain the defense’s strength at safety.
Replacing those two players is a tall ask, but Deion Sanders and his staff might have landed their next star at the position in former Tennessee Volunteer Boo Carter. Ranked as a four-star prospect and the No. 3 safety in the transfer portal by 247Sports, Carter was outstanding for Tennessee in 2025.
Despite missing the latter half of the Volunteers’ contests, Carter still managed to post 25 tackles, a sack and three forced fumbles in eight games. Across his two seasons with Tennessee, Carter totaled 63 tackles, two sacks, three forced fumbles and one interception.
BREAKING: Tennessee transfer DB Boo Carter has Committed to Colorado, he tells @on3sports
He totaled 63 tackles, 3 FF, 2 Sacks, 3 PD, & 1 INT in his time with the Vols
Carter is one of the Top DBs in the On3 Portal Rankingshttps://t.co/RlUbB6Fk7qpic.twitter.com/lLKev6DhgI
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 11, 2026
A tad undersized at 5-foot-11 and 200 pounds, Carter’s athletic ability keeps him in every play and allows for needed range at the safety spot. Carter also returned punts at Tennessee, breaking off a 35-yard or longer return in both of his seasons. He could be a candidate to play both offense and defense for the Buffs.
Carter was absent from the Volunteers’ roster following the team’s game against New Mexico State, when he did not play. After the game, Carter said he would be missing the rest of the season due to injury. Later, a report from ESPN’s Mark Schlabach suggests the root of the issue was disciplinary issues.
At Boulder, Carter will be tasked with leading a nearly completely rebuilt defense under Sanders and Robert Livingston. Carter comes to Boulder with two years of eligibility remaining.
Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado football Boo Carter commitment transfer portal
