Tennessee Hands the Reins to Freshman Faizon Brandon for Season Opener

FILE – Tennessee runs onto the field before an NCAA college football game against Georgia, Sept. 13, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)

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Before Faizon Brandon ever started a high school football game, the quarterback had already secured a scholarship offer from Tennessee, marking his first from a Southeastern Conference program. That moment came three years ago during Brandon’s sophomore year at a camp held on Tennessee’s campus. The confidence shown by the Volunteers’ coaching staff left a lasting impression on the young athlete.

On Saturday afternoon, Brandon is set to make history as the first Tennessee freshman to start a season opener at quarterback in 22 years, leading the Volunteers against Furman. The decision signals that head coach Josh Heupel, now entering his sixth season with a mixed record, is placing his trust in Brandon. The quarterback celebrated his 18th birthday on June 1 and was recognized as one of the top recruits in the high school class of 2026.

During his three years as a starter at Grimsley High School in Greensboro, North Carolina, Brandon won nearly every game he played. His only loss came during the state playoffs as a sophomore. In August 2024, following his junior year, Brandon committed to Tennessee, selecting the Volunteers over other finalists including Alabama, LSU, and North Carolina State.

That same month, Brandon’s mother, Rolanda, filed a lawsuit against the North Carolina State Board of Education and the Department of Public Instruction. The suit challenged a prior ruling that prevented public school athletes in the state from profiting financially through name, image, and likeness agreements. In October 2024, a Superior Court judge ruled in the family’s favor, prompting the state to implement rules permitting high school athletes to sign NIL deals. A subsequent report in August 2025 indicated that 12 athletes had secured NIL contracts, including one unnamed player who signed a two-year deal valued at $1.2 million.

Brian Murphy, a reporter with WRAL News in North Carolina, noted that Rolanda Brandon’s lawsuit alleged a prominent national trading card company had agreed to pay her son a substantial sum for signing memorabilia, a deal she claimed cost him more than $1 million. After North Carolina adopted the new NIL rules, Brandon signed a deal with Leaf Trading Cards.

On the field, Brandon maintained a high level of performance. Over his final two seasons, he guided the program to an undefeated record and two state championships. His senior season began dramatically when he tore a ligament in his right thumb during the first game while diving into the end zone for an overtime game-winning touchdown.

Despite advice from numerous people to rest his injury and preserve his health for college, Brandon returned at the start of the playoffs. He threw a 70-yard touchdown on his first pass back and helped Grimsley secure five consecutive victories. In the state title game, he earned Most Valuable Player honors after completing 8 of 18 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown, while adding 80 rushing yards and another score on 12 carries.

“Faizon’s a very humble kid, extremely quiet, very even-keeled, willing to do whatever is required to win,” Brown said. “There were nights where we’d throw it 30 times. There might be nights where we threw it 10. It just depended on what the game dictated. Faizon was good with whatever needed to be done to help his teammates win and be successful.”

After graduating high school early and enrolling at Tennessee in January, Brandon quickly impressed his new teammates and coaching staff. He participated in spring practices and remained on campus during the break the staff gave players beginning in May.

“He’s in the building, whether that’s in the weight room, whether that’s in the video room, walking through things on the turf in our indoor facility, working on fundamentals,” Heupel told reporters last week. “That type of mentality is a tribute to him and his growth. That’s why he’s continued to grow as fast as he has.”

On Aug. 24, less than two weeks before the season opener, Heupel named Brandon the starter. He had beaten out George MacIntyre, a sophomore who appeared in two games the previous season as a backup to Joey Aguilar. Aguilar led the Volunteers to an 8-5 overall record, including a 4-4 mark in SEC play. After seeking an extra year of eligibility and losing a related lawsuit in February, the competition was reopened, ultimately resulting in Brandon’s promotion as the No. 3 player and quarterback in the 2026 high school class according to 247Sports.

“Every position is week to week,” Heupel said. “We named him the starter because we believe in the work that he has put in and how he’s continued to grow and play throughout training camp. He’s earned that right. But just like every position, you can consistently evaluate.”

That evaluation begins on Saturday against Furman, a Football Championship Subdivision program that finished 6-6 last season. Tennessee, ranked No. 20 in the Associated Press preseason poll, then travels to Georgia Tech and hosts Kennesaw State before welcoming No. 5 Texas for its SEC opener on Sept. 26. The Volunteers’ schedule also includes matchups against No. 8 Texas A&M, No. 11 LSU, and No. 13 Alabama. Media members polled during SEC media days in July predicted Tennessee would finish eighth in the conference.

Across five seasons at Tennessee, Heupel has compiled a 45-20 record, including a 24-16 mark in conference play. The Volunteers reached the College Football Playoff two years ago, falling at home by 25 points to Ohio State, the eventual national champion. After a step back last season, the program is now leaning on Brandon, a freshman whose maturity and performance will be critical to Tennessee’s hopes of returning to CFP contention.

“Like he told me on text, ‘The work’s just beginning,'” Brown said. “He’s a guy that’s very focused. He’s going to be very prepared. He’s going to put in the time it takes to make sure he’s ready.”

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