Carter, Telander and Bishop to Represent Tennessee at SEC Media Days
Image: Kate Luffman/Tennessee Athletics
By Aidan Sidoti
KNOXVILLE – It’s officially Year 6 on Rocky Top for head coach Josh Heupel and we’re less than a week away from SEC Media Days in Tampa on July 20. The Vols have plenty of reasons to anticipate the start of the 2026 season, and plenty of questions will be answered when Heupel is joined by Arion Carter, Jeremiah Telander and DeSean Bishop as Tennessee’s player representatives.
Carter, a native of Smyrna, returns as a third‑year starter after foregoing the 2026 NFL Draft. A 2025 All‑SEC Second Team selection, Carter totaled 76 tackles as a junior, along with 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble across 10 games.
Telander, a breakout performer in his junior season, posted 80 tackles, 1 sack and an interception in the opener against Syracuse. The Gainesville (Ga.) native appeared in all 13 games and enters his final season on Rocky Top as one of Tennessee’s most physical defenders.
Bishop, one of the most patient players on the roster, finally gets the running back room to himself following the departures of Star Thomas and Peyton Lewis. Even in a crowded rotation last season, Bishop rushed for over 1,000 yards and tied for sixth nationally with 16 rushing touchdowns. Now a redshirt junior, the Knoxville native has a chance to produce Dylan Sampson‑level numbers before heading to the NFL.
Tennessee opens the 2026 season on Sept. 5 at 3:30 p.m. ET at home against Furman.
