Tennessee 'extremely hungry' entering 2026 football season
Tennessee 'extremely hungry' entering 2026 football season
Tennessee 'extremely hungry' entering 2026 football seasonDan Harralson, Vols WireTue, July 21, 2026 at 11:30 AM UTC·1 min read
Tennessee kicked off Day 1 of SEC football media days on Monday at JW Marriott and Tampa Marriott Water Street in Tampa, Florida.
Linebacker Jeremiah Telander enters his fourth season at Tennessee in 2026. The 6-foot-2, 235-pound senior represented the Vols at media days on Monday.
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He discussed Tennessee's team entering the 2026 campaign.
"40 new players on this team," Telander said. "We've got a team that's extremely hungry, and just thinking on the way here, we've got a team that just can't wait to go play some football. That's gotta get you fired up. I know I can't wait to go play. We've got a team full of guys who are ready to prove themselves, and we've been putting the work in all summer, building relationships, getting in the gym, and I just can't wait to go suit up with my guys."
Telander has totaled 158 tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, one interception, three pass deflections and three fumble recoveries in 39 games (21 starts) at Tennessee from 2023-25.
Head Coach Josh Heupel of the Tennessee Volunteers speaks at SEC football media day at Tampa Marriott Water Street on July 20, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Parker S. Freedman, Getty Images)July 20, 2026; Tampa, Florida; Tennessee Volunteers running back DeSean Bishop (18) speaks to the press during SEC football kickoff media day at the Tampa Marriott. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)July 20, 2026; Tampa, Florida; Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Arion Carter (7) speaks to the press during SEC Football Kickoff Media Day at the Tampa Marriott. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)July 20, 2026; Tampa, Florida; Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Jeremiah Telander (22) speaks to the press during SEC Football Kickoff Media Day at the Tampa Marriott. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)July 20, 2026; Tampa, Florida; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel speaks to the press during SEC Football Kickoff Media Day at the Tampa Marriott. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)Running Back DeSean Bishop #18 of the Tennessee Volunteers speaks at SEC Football Media Day at Tampa Marriott Water Street on July 20, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Parker S. Freedman, Getty Images)Linebacker Jeremiah Telander #22 of the Tennessee Volunteers speaks at SEC Football Media Day at Tampa Marriott Water Street on July 20, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Parker S. Freedman, Getty Images)Linebacker Arion Carter #7 of the Tennessee Volunteers speaks at SEC Football Media Day at Tampa Marriott Water Street on July 20, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Parker S. Freedman, Getty Images)Head coach Josh Heupel of the Tennessee Volunteers speaks at SEC Football Media Day at Tampa Marriott Water Street on July 20, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Parker S. Freedman, Getty Images)1 / 20
PHOTOS: Tennessee football at 2026 SEC media days in Tampa
Head Coach Josh Heupel of the Tennessee Volunteers speaks at SEC football media day at Tampa Marriott Water Street on July 20, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Parker S. Freedman, Getty Images)
PHOTOS: Tennessee football at 2026 SEC media days in Tampa
July 20, 2026; Tampa, Florida; Tennessee Volunteers running back DeSean Bishop (18) speaks to the press during SEC football kickoff media day at the Tampa Marriott. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)
PHOTOS: Tennessee football at 2026 SEC media days in Tampa
July 20, 2026; Tampa, Florida; Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Arion Carter (7) speaks to the press during SEC Football Kickoff Media Day at the Tampa Marriott. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)
PHOTOS: Tennessee football at 2026 SEC media days in Tampa
July 20, 2026; Tampa, Florida; Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Jeremiah Telander (22) speaks to the press during SEC Football Kickoff Media Day at the Tampa Marriott. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)
PHOTOS: Tennessee football at 2026 SEC media days in Tampa
July 20, 2026; Tampa, Florida; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel speaks to the press during SEC Football Kickoff Media Day at the Tampa Marriott. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)
Arion Carter discusses returning to Tennessee for senior season
July 20, 2026; Tampa, Florida; Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Arion Carter (7) speaks to the press during SEC Football Kickoff Media Day at the Tampa Marriott. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)
PHOTOS: Tennessee football at 2026 SEC media days in Tampa
Running Back DeSean Bishop #18 of the Tennessee Volunteers speaks at SEC Football Media Day at Tampa Marriott Water Street on July 20, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Parker S. Freedman, Getty Images)
PHOTOS: Tennessee football at 2026 SEC media days in Tampa
Linebacker Jeremiah Telander #22 of the Tennessee Volunteers speaks at SEC Football Media Day at Tampa Marriott Water Street on July 20, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Parker S. Freedman, Getty Images)
PHOTOS: Tennessee football at 2026 SEC media days in Tampa
Linebacker Arion Carter #7 of the Tennessee Volunteers speaks at SEC Football Media Day at Tampa Marriott Water Street on July 20, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Parker S. Freedman, Getty Images)
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