Big Orange Report July 2, 2026

 

Meet the Vols 2026

Middle Linebackers/Star (Rover)

Position Coaches-- William Inge, Anthony Poindexter

All Star Candidates-- Jeremiah Telander, Edwin Spillman, Qua Moss

Jeremiah Telander-- Senior (6-2, 235) from Gainesville, Georgia-- The veteran anchor of the linebacking corps, Telander has participated in 39 games that includes 21 starts at MLB. He has been recognized as a "downhill" tackler that is stout against the run and who can also blitz on a pass rush when called on to do so. Last season he was second on the team with 80 total tackles including six stops for minus yardage, a sack and he grabbed the first pass interception of his career. To date, Telander has posted 158 total hits, 12 tackles for lost yardage and three fumble recoveries. His top performance thus far in his career was 10 tackles on just 47 defensive snaps in the playoff loss to Ohio State following the 2024 regular season. The staff is expecting Telander to be a leader on the field and also vocally at practice and on the sidelines this fall. The coaches have worked with him in the film room and at practice sessions to improve his angles of pursuit against the short passing game.

Edwin Spillman-- Red Shirt Sophomore (6-1, 230) from Nashville-- The potential is written all over Spillman, a rising star on the second level of the Big Orange defense. He served notice last season that he is on the verge of doing some special things for the Vol defense. He led the SEC for freshmen or red shirt freshmen last year with 81 tackles which earned him first team All SEC Freshman honors and also second team Freshman All American recognition. His stats included four tackles for minus yardage, three sacks and an interception. He posted 15 tackles to lead the UT defensive effort in the Kentucky game. He was an integral part of two state titles in high school at Lipscomb Academy. Rivals.com ranked him the No. 19 linebacker prospect in the nation and he had 33 offers from D1 schools before he joined the Vols. His quickness and speed are impressive and he obviously has an above average football IQ.

Jaedon Harmon-- Sophomore (6-0, 225) from Rome, Georgia-- An early enrollee in 2025, Harmon avoided the red shirt, playing in all 13 games. He was a mainstay on kick coverage teams and he also worked into the rotation at linebacker, recording 19 tackles last autumn. He finished the campaign with four solo stops in the bowl game vs. Illinois. Owings and the training staff are working to get Harmon stronger and faster as the season approaches. Like Spillman, he is quick off the snap of the football and has displayed excellent instincts and an ability to get to the ball with hostile intentions.  

Tre Poteat-- Sophomore (6-0, 190) from Fitchburg, Wisconsin-- One of the leading candidates to land the starting job at the Star position, Poteet was a four star ranked recruit and was tabbed the No. 3 overall prospect in Wisconsin following a high decorated prep career. He was a two way star in high school, excelling at both wide receiver and cornerback, where he earned first team All State honors. He got on the field in all 13 contests last year on special teams and as a reserve cornerback. He booked 12 tackles and two pass deflections during his short stints in the secondary. He can also play safety if needed there.

Qua Moss-- Senior (5-11, 190) from West Point, Georgia (Transfer from Kansas State)- Experienced at the star (rover) position after playing it almost exclusively during his one season at KSU. He did not allow a touchdown on 286 pass coverage situations. Last season he recorded 41 tackles, five stops for minus yardage, two interceptions, a blocked kick and a forced fumble. He spent some time in the junior college ranks and then a year at West Georgia before transferring to Kansas State. Moss has a nose for the ball and is effective against the run game as well as the pass game. He is the odds on favorite to star at the star position this year.

Isiah Hardage-- Red Shirt Junior (5-10, 190) from Hollywood, Florda (Transfer from Colorado)-- Hardage was a two-way player at CU, working in the secondary and also as a wide receiver and kick returner for the Buffalos. He will be auditioned at the star position and also as a safety on the back end of the Tennessee defense.

Position summery

Telander and Spillman give the new defensive staff a lethal pair of experienced anchors in the middle of the Vol defense. If the defensive linemen can keep the blockers off these two head hunters, they both should post some big numbers. The star position is up for grabs come August and the experience Moss gained at Kansas State gives him a slight edge. Tennessee needs an athletic player at this position with a high football IQ with an ability to read the offensive formations and intentions quickly.

Vol Notes

Tennessee has parted ways with transfer Chaz Coleman. He was never really a part of the team and sending him on his was probably a very wise decision. Last season at Penn State, Coleman had eight total tackles and played only 140 snaps on defense.

Congratulations to softball coach Karen Weekly and her husband, retired coach Ralph Weekly after being inducted into the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame last week.

Former Lady Vol basketball standout Candace Parker was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday.

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