University of Tennessee Athletics
Jeremiah Telander Named To 2026 SEC Football Leadership Council
February 04, 2026 | Football
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee football linebacker Jeremiah Telander has been named to the 2026 SEC Football Leadership Council, the league office has announced.
Telander is one 16 representatives across the conference as a part of the group. The Gainesville, Georgia, native will play his senior season this coming fall. Telander has been a vocal leader for the Vols throughout his career. He is a two-time SEC Academic Honor Roll recipient and was a captain for multiple games last fall.
"Being chosen to be a member of the SEC Leadership Council is truly an honor," Telander said. "When I came here as a freshman, one of my goals was to leave it better than I found it. Since then, I have made it a priority to bring others up with me on and off the field. It is a great honor, and I intend to use this opportunity to make an even bigger impact."
On the field, Telander has played in 39 games and collected 158 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries and one interception. In 2025, he started all 13 games and finished second on the team with 80 tackles, including six tackles for loss.
The Football Leadership Council is one of three components of the SEC Student-Athlete Leadership Council. The other two components are the Men's and Women's Basketball Leadership Councils. Student-Athlete Leadership Councils for the sports of football and men's and women's basketball, along with the conference's longstanding Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), provide student-athletes with additional opportunities to engage with campus leaders and conference office staff. The councils serve as a conduit of communication to the conference office on issues related to student-athlete experience, student-athlete wellness and playing rules.
Telander is one 16 representatives across the conference as a part of the group. The Gainesville, Georgia, native will play his senior season this coming fall. Telander has been a vocal leader for the Vols throughout his career. He is a two-time SEC Academic Honor Roll recipient and was a captain for multiple games last fall.
"Being chosen to be a member of the SEC Leadership Council is truly an honor," Telander said. "When I came here as a freshman, one of my goals was to leave it better than I found it. Since then, I have made it a priority to bring others up with me on and off the field. It is a great honor, and I intend to use this opportunity to make an even bigger impact."
On the field, Telander has played in 39 games and collected 158 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries and one interception. In 2025, he started all 13 games and finished second on the team with 80 tackles, including six tackles for loss.
The Football Leadership Council is one of three components of the SEC Student-Athlete Leadership Council. The other two components are the Men's and Women's Basketball Leadership Councils. Student-Athlete Leadership Councils for the sports of football and men's and women's basketball, along with the conference's longstanding Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), provide student-athletes with additional opportunities to engage with campus leaders and conference office staff. The councils serve as a conduit of communication to the conference office on issues related to student-athlete experience, student-athlete wellness and playing rules.
Players Mentioned
LB
/ FootballFB | Jim Knowles Media Availability (2.19.26)
Thursday, February 19
FB | Anthony Poindexter Media Availability (2.19.26)
Thursday, February 19
FB | Derek Jones Media Availability (2.19.26)
Thursday, February 19
FB | Andrew Jackson Media Availability (2.19.26)
Thursday, February 19
