The University of Tennessee kicked off SEC football media days on Monday in Tampa, Florida, setting the stage for the upcoming 2026 campaign and drawing attention from fans and analysts alike.
A Fresh Look for the Volunteers
Linebacker Jeremiah Telander, now in his fourth season with the Volunteers, took the opportunity to speak about the team's renewed energy and collective ambition as the roster undergoes significant change.
Telander noted that the squad has welcomed roughly 40 new players, a shift that has injected fresh competition into the locker room and altered the group's dynamic heading into the fall.
He described the team as "extremely hungry" and eager to translate the work done during the summer into on‑field success when the season begins.
The linebacker also reflected on his own production, having logged 158 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one interception and three forced fumbles across 39 career games from 2023 through 2025.
With the SEC schedule looming, the Volunteers are poised to test their revamped roster against traditional powerhouses, aiming to prove the strides made during the offseason and to silence any doubters.