Everything Josh Heupel Said About Mock Game Week and Faizon Brandon Winning the QB Job

The Tennessee Volunteers are now on their next stage of preparation, as they are now in Mock Game Week. Following practice and the massive announcement that the Vols would be starting Faizon Brandon, Josh Heupel spoke with the media.

Here is everything he had to say.

Openeing Statement

“Mock game week for us. Normal week flow as far as practice here, and each unit has some things in specific that they want to continue to grow in and maybe didn’t get enough work of it during training camp and/or some areas of improvement before we get to true game week. Had the quarterbacks in this morning, told the team this morning, that Faizon (Brandon) had earned the right to be the starter Week 1. Love what the group has done, how they’ve competed, grown. Love how they competed and supported each other throughout the course of training camp. Faizon gets the nod Week 1. The expectation at the quarterback position, just like at every position, is guys continue to grow, work, and compete every day and continue to get better throughout the course of the season. The strength of one position group can never be one guy. It’s true at quarterback. I know everybody focuses on the starter, but that group has to continue to grow and I expect them to do that here as we get on the field again tomorrow, but leading up to Game 1, too," Heupel said.

Josh Heupel on if Faizon Brandon Will Be the Long-Term Answer

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

Josh Heupel on What Won Faizon Brandon the Job

“I don’t think there’s just one thing. At times people want to say is there one focal point that changed it? I think in all, his control, command of what we’re doing offensively, that’s in run game, the RPO game, the drop back, play action. Combine that with 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 start,” Heupel said.

Josh Heupel on Faizon Brandon's Extra Work

“There’s not just one instance. First of all, the entire group has worked and competed extremely hard. But I think something that sticks out is we break in May for a few weeks of vacation and 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, working on fundamentals. That type of mentality, attitude, is a tribute to him and his growth. That’s why he’s continuing to grow as fast as he has,” Heupel said.

Josh Heupel on His Message to George MacIntyre

“I’ve told those guys there’s going to be one guy that’s extremely excited and there’s going to be disappointment on some others, and I’ve been on both sides of that coin. But as we leave this room, it’s important that you take where you’re at, you continue to work and compete. You don’t know when your number is going to be called, whether it’s Week 1, Week 12, whatever it might be. Unfortunately, I’ve had to play three in a game before and we’re able to win because those guys were prepared. So that was the challenge that I gave to those guys as well,” Heupel said.

Josh Heupel on What Went Into Naming Faizon Brandon the Starter

“Just when we came to a conclusion, ultimately. You guys heard me say it before we started training camp, somebody’s got to go out and earn the right to be the starter. I think that’s important in front of their peers and certainly the competition inside of that room. Once he had gotten to that stage, that’s why we named him and when we named him,” Heupel said.

Josh Heupel on Keeping Ryan Staub and George MacIntyre Engaged

“Guys that are in the building, you let go of the rope at any point, one, you’re doing a disservice to yourself, your teammates, friends that you have on the team. But you’re setting yourself up for failure on the other side of it too. So be in the present, be here, be now, and continue to grow. Ultimately, we’re all in a race to become as good as we can, as fast as we can. It’s important that those guys do that. You can tell by body language, engagement, quarterback room, answering questions, dialing into the game plan, all those things. Those guys get practice reps too, so you’re going to see it on the field," Heupel said.

Josh Heupel on Arion Carter's Punishment Following Recent Developments

“Yeah, I’m not the NCAA. I think in general you guys certainly have a clear picture of how I feel about that entire situation to begin with, even before some of the madness that is college football and rosters in the current landscape that it is,” Heupel said.

Josh Heupel on the Depth Behind DeSean Bishop at Running Back

“All four of those guys, and really the entire room has done an elite job. Playing without the ball in their hand, and when they have the ball in their hands, doing a great job of pressing the line of scrimmage, reading blocks, playing with great pad level when they get to the second and third level, and finishing runs. The group, top to bottom, has continued to grow, maybe as strong as any running back room that we have had here at Tennessee. Coach Sims and the players that sit in there have done a tremendous job,” Heupel said.

Josh Heupel on What He is Locking for in Game Mock Week

“For the quarterbacks, some of the situational football, cleaning up communication. I think all 11 being on the same page, from the sideline, from the huddle, whatever it might be. We were operating like a real game crowd noise, and we’ll do that this week too, but I want to clean up some of those things, and defensively some of our young guys continuing to grow, and the understanding of our scheme, I think is important here this week," Heupel said.

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