Meet Tennessee Football's Starting Quarterback Faizon Brandon

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The Tennessee Volunteers had an ongoing quarterback battle that has taken place ever since the beginning of the offseason. This included being an active competition during the spring, when both of the competing quarterbacks played in the Orange and White game.
This would carry over through the fall, as fall camp would later be the determining factor thanks to the two team scrimmages ahead of game mock week. The starter was finally announced.
After long anticipation, true freshman Faizon Brandon is set to be the starter for the Tennessee Volunteers. He is going to be the first true freshman to start the first game of the season since Brent Schaeffer in 2004. This is an amazing accomplishment and is something to be proud of if you are Brandon. While fans may not be familiar with who Brandon is, they will have a great chance to learn.
Faizon Brandon Off the Field

Faizon Brandon is a great person off the field, with high hopes for himself, but he has high hopes for the people around him. In high school, the talented quarterback helped successfully change the sports scene in the state of North Carolina, allowing players in the state to earn from NIL opportunities.
This has allowed high school athletes to earn ever since he won the case in North Carolina back in 2024. This changed everything for the athletes and families. He didn't do this just for himself, but also for the entire state, as that is just who he is as a person.
While this was awesome of Brandon, it wouldn't top what came next. Brandon arrived on campus with the Vols and was quick to make strides when it came to making a difference in the state of Tennessee. He helped raise over $12,000 to donate to Tennessee Children's Home. This is an organization that has the goal of improving the lives of at-risk children in the state of Tennessee. He raised this money after hosting a camp for kids, which is what helped raise the money, as he even matched the amount he raised at the camp to get the total.
Brandon is also someone who gave back the moment he made it to campus. Ahead of Christmas, Santa Brandon came to town as he gave out toys to East Tennessee Children's Hospital. This was arguably the coolest and most heartwarming thing that he did.
His unselfish acts have shown great character. These are the type of people you want leading your football program as a leader off the field, but don't get it twisted; Brandon is a baller on the field too.
Faizon Brandon On the Field

On the football field, Brandon is as good as it gets. He is someone who was a long-time Tennessee Volunteers target before he announced his commitment to the college program just days prior to his season opener for his junior season. He was the first commit for the Vols in the class of 2026, and he was the clear option for them at the position.
Brandon previously ranked as the No. 1 player in the state of North Carolina at the quarterback position and in the entire country, according to 247Sports. His success on the field landed him as one of the more gifted gunslingers the Tar Heel state has ever seen.
Brandon is a certified winner, and that is what he has come to Tennessee to do. In fact, Brandon only lost one game in his career as a starter and was an individual award winner, including being named the Gatorade and MaxPreps Player of the Year in North Carolina back in 2024. He didn't have a full campaign after injuring his thumb in 2025, which kept him from winning the awards in his senior season, but it is safe to say that it is likely he would have been in contention, if not won them again.
In college, he has yet to prove anything due to the fact that he has yet to compete in a regulated game; however, he has been successful enough to win the starting job in Knoxville.

Caleb Sisk is a talented sports journalist from the state of Georgia. Originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee, Sisk's passion for sports grew. Bringing years of recruiting coverage experience, he has been named a National Recruiting Reporter and covers various college sites on the On SI network. He takes pride in covering recruiting and has been featured by numerous companies for his excellent coverage and knowledge. He has also spent time at other companies, including Rivals, where he covered the Tennessee Volunteers.
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