Josh Heupel discusses who could take over defensive in-helmet communication duties

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel discusses who could take over defensive in-helmet communication duties for Keenan Pili.

The Third Saturday in October rivalry between Tennessee and Alabama will be renewed on Saturday in Week 8 at Neyland Stadium (3:30 p.m. EDT, ABC).

On Monday, fourth-year Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel announced redshirt senior linebacker Keenan Pili will miss the remainder of the season due to an ACL injury. Pili used in-helmet communication during the Vols’ first six games this season.

Heupel discussed who could potentially take over defensive in-helmet communication against Alabama.

“Haven’t finalized that,” Heupel said. “Could be Arion (Carter), could be (Jeremiah) Telander that takes that over.”

Carter has appeared in six games in 2024, recording 27 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss, one interception and four pass deflections. Telander has also appeared in six contests for the Vols this season, totaling 18 tackles, one tackle for a loss, one pass deflection and one fumble recovery.

READ: 2024 SEC football power rankings after Week 7

Jeremiah Telander. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Tennessee’s captains named for Kent State football game

Tennessee football announces game captains for Week 3 game versus Kent State.

No. 9 Tennessee (2-0) will return to Neyland Stadium on Saturday. The Vols will host Kent State (0-2) at 7:45 p.m. EDT.

SEC Network will televise the nonconference matchup. Tom Hart, Jordan Rodgers and Cole Cubelic will be on the call.

Ahead of Saturday’s game, Tennessee announced its game captains.

Redshirt senior offensive lineman Dayne Davis, sophomore linebacker Arion Carter, sophomore linebacker Jeremiah Telander and redshirt senior Matthew Salansky will serve as the Vols’ game captains against Kent State.

Vol Walk will also take place on Peyton Manning Pass at 5:30 p.m. EDT ahead of the Tennessee-Kent State game.

READ: Kent State kicker could set career field goal record against Tennessee

https://twitter.com/Vol_Football/status/1834628000379183458

Early signing period: Jeremiah Telander signs with Tennessee

Early signing period: Jeremiah Telander signs with Tennessee

The 2022 early signing period is taking place Dec. 21-23 for the 2023 recruiting signing class.

The 2022 early signing period is Josh Heupel’s second as Tennessee’s head coach. He was hired as the Vols’ head coach in Jan. 2021.

Heupel guided the Vols to a 10-2 regular season in 2022.

No. 6 Tennessee (10-2, 6-2 SEC) will play No. 7 Clemson (11-2, 8-0 ACC) in the Capital One Orange Bowl on Dec. 30.

Kickoff between the Vols and Tigers is slated for 8 p.m. EST (ESPN) at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Jeremiah Telander signed with the Vols on Wednesday during the early signing period.

The 6-foot-2, 217-pound linebacker is from Gainesville High School in Gainesville, Georgia.

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Social media reaction following Jeremiah Telander’s commitment to Tennessee

A look at social media reaction following Jeremiah Telander’s commitment to Tennessee.

2023 linebacker prospect Jeremiah Telander has committed to Tennessee.

Telander announced his commitment to the Vols Sunday.

“All glory to God for all my opportunities, thank you to my family and all the coaches that have helped me through this process,” Telander said. “I am committed to the University of Tennessee.”

The 6-foot-2, 217-pound Telander is from Gainesville High School in Gainesville, Georgia.

Tennessee’s 2023 football commitment tracker

Tennessee has 12 commitments for its 2023 recruiting class: Quarterback Nico Iamaleava Jr, tight end Ethan Davis, offensive lineman Ayden Bussell, defensive lineman Trevor Duncan, safety Jack Luttrell, edge rusher Nathan Robinson, wide receiver Nate Spillman, edge rusher Caleb Herring, safety Sylvester Smith, linebacker Will Stallings Jr., safety John Slaughter and Telander.

Following Telander’s commitment to Tennessee, Vols Wire looks at social media reaction. Social media reaction is listed below.

Jeremiah Telander commits to Tennessee

Jeremiah Telander commits to Tennessee.

2023 linebacker prospect Jeremiah Telander has committed to Tennessee.

Telander announced his commitment to the Vols Sunday.

“All glory to God for all my opportunities, thank you to my family and all the coaches that have helped me through this process,” Telander said. “I am committed to the University of Tennessee.”

The 6-foot-2, 217-pound Telander is from Gainesville High School in Gainesville, Georgia.

Tennessee has 12 commitments for its 2023 recruiting class: Quarterback Nico Iamaleava Jr, tight end Ethan Davis, offensive lineman Ayden Bussell, defensive lineman Trevor Duncan, safety Jack Luttrell, edge rusher Nathan Robinson, wide receiver Nate Spillman, edge rusher Caleb Herring, safety Sylvester Smith, linebacker Will Stallings Jr., safety John Slaughter and Telander.

Tennessee’s 2023 football commitment tracker

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Gators a favorite for this 2023 LB following first trip to Florida

The Gators impressed this Georgia linebacker recruit enough to earn an official visit over the summer.

Three-star linebacker [autotag]Jeremiah Telander[/autotag] was hoping his trip to the Swamp would be an experience to remember on Thursday, and the Gators didn’t disappoint the Gainesville, Georgia, recruit.

The 6-foot-1.5-inch, 218-pounder spent plenty of his time with inside linebackers coach [autotag]Jay Bateman[/autotag], according to 247Sports. Bateman’s been the go-to contact early on for Telander and will be his position coach at UF if he chooses to sign. Telander also got a chance to meet with Billy Napier over lunch with his parents.

The visit went well enough for Telander to commit to another trip to the Swamp as his recruitment gets more serious.

“I didn’t set a visit today with Florida, but we told them they are going to be one of my official visits in June,” he said. “Florida really blew it out of the park. From seeing the nutrition to academics to camps to football. They showed me a lot today.”

Telander is looking at the first or second weekend in June to plan the visit, and Louisville and Tennessee are two other programs set to host him over the summer. The goal is to have a commitment set by the start of his senior season, but Telander said he won’t rush things if he’s unsure.

North Carolina will get him on an unofficial visit over the weekend to wrap up his spring schedule.

247Sports ranks Telander as the No. 76 linebacker in the country and the No. 80 overall recruit in Georgia from the class of 2023.

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