2026 Tennessee Volunteers

[Don Wassall]

Since 2005 Tennessee has started 4, 5, 5, 5, 4, 4, 2, 4, 10, 5, 6, 7, 5, 1, 1, 4, 1, 2, 4, and 4 White players. The Volunteers start 3 in 2026.

Redshirt freshman George MacIntyre is the starting quarterback. He’s 6’ 6” and 208 pounds. He’s a four star recruit so hopefully will do well in his first season as the starter.

Sam Pendleton is the starting center, and Jesse Perry starts at right guard.

LG Shamurod Umarov, who is a mix of Turkish, Kazak and Uzbek, is the only other o-lineman on the two deep. He looks White from the picture I saw of him. Ryan Staub is listed as the third string QB and Mason Phillips is fourth string. Fourth stringer Cole Harrison is the only White TE on the roster.

The starting defense is all black. NT Nathan Robinson is the only White on the two deep, while end Carson Gentle and MLB Jeremiah Telander are both third on the defensive depth chart. Truthteller wrote the following about Telander last year:

“Jeremiah Telander looked good; even had an Int. Prior to looking him up, I thought he was a safety, due to his size, speed, agility and number (22). Came out of High school at 6'2", about 200 lbs (ideal safety size?), but ranked as #11 LB in the nation by ESPN. He's bulked up and listed at 235 lbs, but doesn't look that heavy. Basically, he's been "stacked" at MLB. Worth tracking, as a draftable, potential NFL prospect down the road. Worst case scenario, he'll be seen as a Justin Barron type (ex-Syracuse).”

Having a White starting QB is the only positive on Tennessee’s usual ultra-black team.

Quarterback: George MacIntyre, Ryan Staub, Mason Phillips
C: Sam Pendleton
RG: Jesse Perry
LG: Shamurod Umarov

NT: Nathan Robinson
DE: Carson Gentle
MLB: Jeremiah Telander

 

[TwentyTwo]

Nice write up Don!

Jeremiah Telander has started 21 straight games for the Vols entering 2026...dont understand how he's 3rd team now; my Athlon's magazine list him 2nd team ; still disappointing
...oh i see a magical Transfer from UNC + A Sophomore now `1 - 2
Will still be looking for #22

Found this confusing update from 8 days ago

Linebackers:
Starters: Arion Carter, Amare Campbell
2nd: Jadon Perlotte, Edwin Spillman
3rd: Jeremiah Telander, Brayden Rouse

The linebacker position group is becoming one of the better position groups on the entire roster. Despite the injury to Jaedon Harmon, I still believe the Vols' linebacker room is three groups deep. As of now, I believe Jeremiah Telander may be as low as the third string, but he could be the player who rises the most.

 

[Truthteller]

Disappointing. I helped Leonardfan do only 2 write-ups in 2025. Tennessee (<link) and UCLA. Also, did 2 FCS schools.

Don's University of Tennessee post does and does not surprise me?

I felt California-Los Angeles was just a lost cause, basically a black head coach (rare ex-NFL player; now fired) who wanted an all black team. They had very few promising, young White backups. I thought Tennessee would be different, as they seemed to have quite a few "promising" 3 and 4 star recruits scattered around on defense. That's why it does surprise me a bit. I figured as those Whites got older, there would be a better showing in 2026. Wishful thinking on my part? But most have either dropped on the depth chart, simply transferred or left football altogether.

On the other hand, this is the SEC and this should not surprise anyone, as racial dynamics always seem to be working against Whites. Although Telander's situation really did surprise, I assumed he was a lock to start.

Twenty-Two, I just asked A.I. about Telander: Why does Jeremiah Telander not start for Tennessee?

The premise of the question is incorrect: Jeremiah Telander actually projects to hold a firm grip on a starting role in the middle of Tennessee's defense. Despite heavy offseason additions and competition in a stacked linebacker room, the senior leader put together a strong camp to maintain his spot as a starter.

Linebacker Context

• • Strong Competition: Speculation about his starting status stemmed from the return of star linebacker Arion Carter and the arrival of high-profile transfers.
  • Proven Production: Telander started all 13 games and racked up 80 total tackles during his junior season, establishing deep trust with the coaching staff. [1, 2]
  • Leadership Role: Beyond his physical play, he was selected to represent the Volunteers at SEC Media Days and serves on the SEC Football Leadership Council. [1, 2]

I hope it's correct, although their (A.I.) answer seems to be derived mostly from this very recent article....Here's another positive one, that claims he might be a "occasional starter". We'll see? It's been mentioned he worked out like crazy and increased his speed.

Reality is, without the Caste system, Telander could've been a solid NFL safety prospect! Kind of reminds me of Peyton Wilson of Pittsburgh. He's bulked up more than Wilson did in college and he's (probably) not as good. I always believed Peyton should've been an NFL safety due to his weight and speed. Coming out, Wilson was "listed" at 233 pounds, but only after bulking up due to being "stacked" at linebacker. Then factor in his stunning 4.43 official Combine 40 time, which is much more than fast enough to play NFL safety. Playing safety would've also been very beneficial for Wilson's too often troubled knees. And regarding Peyton's height (6'4"), Baltimore's black/Korean star safety (Hamilton) is every bit as tall (and not nearly as fast), but was never asked to move to linebacker.


Here's some other "promising" Vols from 2025:
WR Braylon Harmon, a "preferred walk-on", heavily recruited by mid-level F.B.S. schools, left for F.C.S. power Austin Peay.
LB Ben Bolton, who was getting increased playing time as a junior, has just quit playing football.
Ex-rising 4 star recruit Kellen Lindstrom, a tall and athletic edge rusher, has transferred to Missouri State, a bottom rung F.B.S. team.
LB/DB Brenden Anes, highly recruited son of an ex-Detroit Lions QB, has transferred to Western Michigan, another mid-level F.B.S. school