With the Tennessee football season right around the corner, all eyes are on the quarterback battle and where things stand with redshirt freshman George MacIntyre, five-star freshman Faizon Brandon, and who will be the guy come week one
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Many seem to believe that Brandon has taken over and is now the leader in the quarterback battle, but with so much time left, it is really hard to pin down who will be the leader at the end of fall camp.
However, ESPN thinks Faizon Brandon is a freshman to watch, even if he doesn’t ultimately win the job right out of camp.
ESPN said, “There's no guarantee that Brandon, the No. 14 prospect and third-ranked pocket passer in 2026, beats out George MacIntyre for Tennessee's starting job. But Brandon's immense ceiling is undeniable, and his big arm is a great fit for a Josh Heupel offense that wants to beat teams over the top. His physical traits are reminiscent of Hendon Hooker.”
ESPN has Faizon Brandon as a freshman to watch
ESPN really made a solid point here because Brandon has a remarkably high ceiling. he already looks physically built for the next level. Even as a true freshman, Brandon has the size of an NFL quarterback and has the arm and athleticism. He needs to focus on the accuracy and making the right reads. The Heupel system is quarterback-friendly, no doubt, but it's not something he will truly master right away.
What should really get Tennessee fans fired up is the fact that the national media likes what Brandon brings to the table. It’s not just people in Knoxville hyping him up. Everybody else sees his talent, too.
Even if he starts as a true freshman, there will probably be some rough moments, and that’s okay. It sounds cliche but after rough games, Heupel is going to say he needs to go back, watch the film, and clean things up, and he will be right. Brandon’s development probably won’t be a perfectly smooth climb. There will be highs and lows as he learns and adjusts to college football. He will show plenty of flashes, and he will probably have a handful of moments where were wondering what the heck he’s doing.
If Brandon doesn’t win the starting job immediately, that’s not a bad thing at all for the Tennessee Vols' long-term outlook. He could still develop behind George MacIntyre and pick up valuable game reps in garbage time or certain packages early in the year.
Sometimes people forget that, as talented as Brandon is, he’s still only a true freshman. The upside is huge, but development still takes time.
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