Vols' Freshman QB Brandon Named to Preseason All-America Team
Tennessee freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon was selected to On3's Preseason True Freshman All-America Team. The former five-star recruit was also announced as the Volunteers' starting quarterback for the season opener against Furman. Brandon will be the first true freshman to start for Tennessee since 2004.
Brandon arrives in Knoxville with a decorated prep résumé, having earned North Carolina Mr. Football and Gatorade Player of the Year honors as a junior while completing 77.1 percent of his passes for 2,814 yards and 35 touchdowns. His senior season was interrupted by injury, yet he still finished 6-0 as a starter with 11 touchdown passes against just one interception. At 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, the Greensboro native beat out competition for the job during fall camp.
The Volunteers have not started a true freshman quarterback since Brent Schaeffer in 2004, making Brandon's debut a notable milestone for the program. Tennessee's offensive supporting cast is expected to help ease his transition, and coaches have praised his ability to absorb instruction and apply it during execution. His high school numbers show steady year-over-year development, with his sophomore season producing 36 touchdown passes against only three interceptions.
Brandon's rapid ascent to starting quarterback could shift recruiting dynamics across the SEC, as other programs may weigh whether elite freshman signal-callers can realistically compete for immediate playing time at major programs. His success or struggles may influence how high school prospects evaluate roster paths and how coaches approach quarterback development timelines. For Tennessee fans, the decision signals a forward-looking strategy, though early-season results against conference opponents will ultimately shape perceptions of whether the gamble pays off.