Tennessee's Elite 5-Star QB Faizon Brandon Signs Major NIL Deal

Class of 2026 five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon just added another line to a resume that keeps growing before he has taken a college snap in Knoxville.

The Tennessee true freshman quarterback has landed a new NIL deal with activewear brand Rhoback, adding to a portfolio that already includes a multi-million dollar trading card agreement and a lawsuit that changed NIL rules for public school athletes in North Carolina.

All of it is happening while Brandon is still fighting for the job that will define his freshman season: a starting quarterback battle with George MacIntyre that has carried through spring practice and into fall camp on Rocky Top.

Faizon Brandon's new NIL deal with Rhoback

Brandon has landed a high-profile NIL deal with Rhoback, which the company announced on social media on Tuesday night. The activewear brand has been building out a roster of college quarterbacks lately.

Rhoback recently re-signed Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed and Notre Dame wide receiver Jordan Faison to NIL deals ahead of the 2026 college football season, and the company has also brought in Penn State's Rocco Becht and Virginia's Beau Pribula as part of its "Rhoback U" push. Brandon now joins that group as he prepares for his first season on Rocky Top.

This is far from Brandon's first NIL deal. He signed a multi-year, $1.2 million trading card deal with Leaf Trading Cards, and his On3 NIL valuation sits around $1 million. Before he ever enrolled at Tennessee, one source told On3's Pete Nakos that Brandon's deal with the Vols would pay him between $1 million and $1.5 million in Year 1.

Brandon has also put some of that money to work off the field. He hosted a youth football camp in Knoxville and donated more than $12,500 to Tennessee Children's Home.

He also has a well-known personal legal history tied to NIL. Brandon sued the North Carolina State Board of Education over its ban on endorsement deals for public school athletes, arguing the ban unfairly blocked him from cashing in while private school athletes in the state could. A judge later granted a preliminary injunction, opening the door for him and other public school athletes to sign deals.

QB competition with George MacIntyre heating up

Brandon arrived at Tennessee as a five-star prospect out of Greensboro's Grimsley High School, ranked as the No. 10 overall player and No. 3 quarterback in the 2026 class by Rivals. Now he is fighting MacIntyre for the starting job under head coach Josh Heupel. That competition was one of several on my recent list of QB battles to watch play out across the sport.

Heupel set the tone for the quarterbacks entering camp. "Man, we're starting training camp. Nobody's going to earn it (or) lose it on day one," Heupel said. "Don't want to see a guy make the same mistake twice. Want to see them be a different player than they were when they finished spring ball."

"It's definitely very competitive between us two," Brandon said when asked about his relationship with MacIntyre.

The two have stayed respectful off the field, but reporters covering camp have noticed a difference from past Tennessee quarterback rooms. MacIntyre and Brandon don't appear to have the same close friendship that former Vols Hendon Hooker and Joe Milton shared during the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

Tennessee quarterback Faizon Brandon (11) during Tennessee football’s first preseason practice in Knoxville, Tennessee, Aug. 5, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

At SEC Media Days, Heupel leaned on his track record developing young quarterbacks when asked about the lack of experience at the position. "At the end of the day the players have got to go earn it, and they've got to compete for it every single day," Heupel said. "They've got to learn how to take care of the football first and foremost. You have to play with a competitive edge, allow your playmakers to go make plays as well. The beauty of the game with your quarterback is each one of them's a little bit different. They're the artist. You have to hand them the paintbrush and let them go paint it."

The outside analysis has started to lean Brandon's way. One ESPN analyst wrote that Brandon "must first beat out redshirt freshman George MacIntyre for Tennessee's starting job, but his ceiling is significantly higher," adding that "his natural arm strength is a great fit for Josh Heupel's vertical offense and could unlock another gear for Tennessee."

Tennessee football opens the season on Sat., Sept. 5 against Furman, and Heupel is not expected to name a starter until late in August.

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