George MacIntyre is all business. Faizon Brandon is fun.
If there weren’t already enough ways to distinguish the two Tennessee football quarterbacks competing for the starting job, their demeanor is an obvious one.
That was apparent at UT media day on Aug. 4, as MacIntyre, Brandon and their teammates negotiated questions about the most pivotal position battle on the team.
“George is going to be straightforward with you. He’s only going to tell what you need to hear, not what you want to hear. He’s straight to the point,” wide receiver Braylon Staley said. “Faizon is a fun guy to hang around with outside the facility. He is a little more loose and younger. He’s cool.
“That’s what I love about both of them.”
Many UT fans have already picked a favorite
in the quarterback competition. Some prefer MacIntyre, the homegrown Tennessee native. Some prefer Brandon, the five-star freshman.
Those fans undoubtedly will see what they want to see in those personality traits. Either disposition can be construed in a positive or negative light to fit preconceived notions.
But make no mistake, the quarterbacks bring different demeanors to the huddle. And coaches see the best in both.
“They’re very different guys,” offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle said. “The best thing is that they’re both mature for their age. They handle themselves like they’ve been in this for a while.
“They’re not the type of guys that will be overwhelmed by a big moment. That’s what gives us a ton of confidence about having young guys competing for this thing. It's the way that they’re built.”
Why George MacIntyre thinks before he speaks to teammates
MacIntyre is a redshirt freshman who played sparingly in 2025. Brandon is a true freshman who enrolled in January. But they indeed feel like older players, albeit in different ways.
MacIntyre, a former Brentwood Academy standout, comes from a coaching family. His grandfather, George MacIntyre, was a longtime college coach, including head coaching stints at Vanderbilt and UT Martin. His uncle, Mike MacIntyre, was the coach at San Jose State, Colorado and FIU.
Teammates say MacIntyre carries himself like a coach. He’s precise, focused and deliberate. He sits up in his chair. He thinks before he speaks.
“I try to be clear and decisive. I’m kind of picky about what I say, especially in a team setting or in the weight room or leadership (role) on the field or off the field,” MacIntyre said. “Knowing that I have an influence on the team, anything that I say could influence someone in the right or wrong direction.”
Notably, when MacIntyre has played his best, he’s been precise and deliberate with the football. He was 7-of-9 passing in 2025, looking more decisive in the offense than Jake Merklinger, the backup that he beat out by season’s end and pushed into the transfer portal.
Why Faizon Brandon is comfortable with older players
Brandon is engaging. He smiles a lot. He leans back in his chair. Perhaps that’s simply how he interacts with reporters, but his teammates say that is Brandon’s true disposition.
“I show my personality a lot with (teammates). I’m pretty much an open book with the guys,” Brandon said. “They can come talk to me and laugh and joke. It’s serious when we’re working out, but I'm still an open book."
MacIntyre and Brandon are both on the team’s leadership council, which is chosen by players. For MacIntyre, the role should be a little easier because he’s a returning player. Brandon said he’s taken to it too because he’s accustomed to socializing with older players.
“I’ve always been hanging out with older guys, so I’ve had to mature more quickly,” said Brandon, who turned 18 on June 1. “Even in high school (in Greensboro, North Carolina), I would hang out with the juniors and seniors when I was a freshman.”
Brandon’s personality also offers a glimpse into his game. He’s a dual-threat quarterback with an electric arm and elusiveness as a runner. His game is looser than MacIntyre’s buttoned-up style of play, but they’re both very talented.
The Vols will accentuate the skills and leadership qualities of the quarterback that earns the starting job. They have two good options in MacIntyre and Brandon.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: How George MacIntyre, Faizon Brandon personalities hint at Tennessee QB skills
