Josh Heupel Names Faizon Brandon as QB1 Ahead of Season Opener
Coach Josh Heupel said Brandon earned the job after a strong training camp, making him the second true freshman ever to start a season for Tennessee.
- On Monday, Coach Josh Heupel named true freshman Faizon Brandon the starting quarterback for Tennessee's 2026 season, selecting him over second-year competitor George MacIntyre.
- Heupel cited Brandon's consistent growth throughout training camp and command of offensive fundamentals, replacing former quarterback Joey Aguilar following the program's 8-5 finish last fall.
- Brandon becomes the second true freshman ever to start a season opener for the Volunteers, joining Brent Schaeffer, who opened the 2004 season before Erik Ainge took over.
- The Volunteers open the season against Furman on Sept. 5, followed by a Week 2 road trip to Georgia Tech on Sept. 12, with Brandon leading an offense featuring eight returning starters.
- A 6-foot-4 pocket passer from Greensboro, North Carolina, Brandon threw for 6,374 yards and 79 touchdowns in high school and enters surrounded by playmakers including 1,000-yard rusher DeSean Bishop.
26 Articles
26 Articles
Tennessee Volunteers Freshman Faizon Brandon Named Starting Quarterback
The #20 ranked Tennessee Volunteers are less than two weeks away from opening the 2026 regular season.Tennessee opens the campaign at home on September 5 against Furman, officially ushering in year six of the Josh Heupel era.Now, the Volunteers have their starting quarterback ahead of the season.Five-star freshman Faizon Brandon is going to start the […] The post Tennessee Volunteers Freshman Faizon Brandon Named Starting Quarterback appeared fi…
'Not surprised': Grimsley football reacts to Faizon Brandon being named QB-1 at Tennessee
“Obviously, I am very excited for Faizon and really not surprised, to be honest with you,” Brown said. “Just knowing the kind of young man that he is, how he goes about preparing himself."
Heupel names true freshman Faizon Brandon as No. 20 Tennessee’s starting quarterback
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Coach Josh Heupel will start Faizon Brandon at quarterback when No. 20 Tennessee opens the season on Sept. 5 against Furman, the second true freshman ever to start a season for the Volunteers and the first…
Bozeman Daily Chronicle
Heupel names true freshman Faizon Brandon as No. 20 Tennessee's starting quarterback
Coach Josh Heupel will start Faizon Brandon at quarterback when No. 20 Tennessee opens the season Sept. 5 against Furman, the second true freshman ever to start a season for the Volunteers and the first since 2004. How long Brandon…
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