Jeremy Leman Jeremy Jacob Junior " J " Leman ( born March 1 , 1985 ) is an American football linebacker who last played for the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League ( UFL ) . He played college football at the University of Illinois , and was recognized as a consensus All - American . He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2008 , and has also been a member of the Oakland Raiders , Carolina Panthers , Philadelphia Eagles , San Diego Chargers , and Florida Tuskers . He is currently an announcer for the Big Ten Network . Early years . Leman was born and raised in Champaign , Illinois . He played high school football at Champaign Central High School where he played middle linebacker and tight end . During his senior year , he tallied 191 tackles and was named to the prestigious Illinois High School Football Coaches Association All - State Team . College career . Leman attended the University of Illinois , where he played for the Illinois Fighting Illini football team from 2003 to 2007 . He redshirted as a true freshman in 2003 . Leman was a first - team All - Big Ten selection on defense in 2006 and 2007 , and was recognized as a consensus first - team All - American in 2007 . He started over 40 games at linebacker during his college career . During the 2007 campaign , Leman led the Illini to nine wins and helped the team earn a trip to the Rose Bowl . Leman stands at sixth place on Illinois ' all time tackle list . His 152 tackles in the 2006 season ranked No . 1 in the Big Ten and is the sixth best single - season effort ever posted by an Illini gridder . He also ranks fifth on the Illinois charts in career tackles for loss . Professional career . First stint with Vikings . After going undrafted in the 2008 NFL Draft , Leman signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent . He was waived during final cuts on August 30 . Carolina Panthers . After spending the 2008 season out of football , Leman signed a future contract with the Carolina Panthers on January 13 , 2009 . He was waived as a final cut on September 5 . Philadelphia Eagles . Leman was signed to the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad on September 7 , 2009 . He was released on October 13 . San Diego Chargers . Leman was signed to the San Diego Chargers practice squad on November 3 , 2009 . He was released on December 1 . Second stint with Vikings . Leman was re - signed to the Minnesota Vikings practice squad on December 9 , 2009 , and was promoted to the active roster on December 15 , after linebacker Erin Henderson was suspended for four games . He was released with an injury settlement on October 19 , 2010 . Florida Tuskers . Leman was signed by the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League on November 1 , 2010 . Second stint with San Diego Chargers . Leman was signed to the San Diego Chargers practice squad on November 30 , 2010 . He was waived on August 30 , 2011 . Oakland Raiders . The Oakland Raiders claimed Leman off of waivers on August 31 . Oakland then cut Leman on Sept . 3 , 2011 when they announced their 53 - man roster for the 2011 season . However , the following day ( Sept . 4 ) the Raiders named Leman to their 8 - man practice squad for the 2011 season . He was cut from the practice squad on 12 / 6 / 11 . Personal . Leman graduated from the University of Illinois with a speech communication degree and a master ' s degree in Human Resource Education .