KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel named freshman Faizon Brandon as his starting quarterback ahead of the season opener in less than two weeks. Brandon beat out sophomore George McIntyre, who appeared in two games last season, to win the starting job during fall camp. The 6'4", 220-pound signal-caller will lead the No. 20-ranked Volunteers on offense when they host Furman at Neyland Stadium on Sept. 5.
New Vols ‘Smokey Grey’ uniforms revealed on 100th anniversary of Gen. Neyland’s Vols debut “I think in all his control, command of what we’re doing offensively, that’s in the run game, it’s the RPO game. It’s the drop-back play action. Combine that with the fundamentals, technique, pocket awareness. You put all those things together. Decision making, taking care of the football while still allowing his playmakers to make plays down the field. You look at the total volume of work, and he’s earned the right to start,” Heupel said Monday. A native of Greensboro, North Carolina, Brandon became the first commitment of Tennessee's 2026 recruiting class in 2024 ahead of his junior season. He enrolled in January to participate in spring practice. His profile on UTsports.com notes that his first name is pronounced "FAY-zahn. " He was rated the top prospect from the Tar Heel State by 247Sports and ESPN and a consensus top five quarterback by 247Sports, ESPN Rivals. The dual-threat QB recorded nearly 8,000 yards of total offense and 100 touchdowns in his high school career. He lost just once in 36 games as a starter for Grimsley High School in Greensboro, including a perfect 16-0 season in 2024 that culminated in a 4A state title and North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year honors. As a senior, he injured his thumb in the opening week of the season but was able to return for the playoffs and guide Grimsley to a second straight championship.
MORE: Tennessee Football News His mother sued the North Carolina Board of Education on his behalf in 2024 over the state's ban on public-school athletes making money through the use of their name, image, and likeness. A preliminary injunction ultimately cleared the way for high school athletes to enter NIL deals. Brandon has also taken time to give back to his community. He hosted a youth camp last year to raise money for the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club of Greensboro. His youth football camp in Knoxville last month raised $12,520 for Tennessee Children's Home, half of which was contributed directly by Brandon.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side.
