You couldn’t be sure where the Tennessee-Georgia Tech game was headed late in the first quarter when the Vols faced a fourth-and-2 situation at the Yellow Jackets’ 24-yard line.
The play didn’t unfold as well as planned. Quarterback Faizon Brandon had to elude one defender in the backfield, then power through another to gain the first down.
Though significant at the time, the play was easily forgotten after the Vols pulled away for a 45-24 victory at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta. But it underscored Brandon’s value while reminding us how he checks the most important quarterback boxes in coach Josh Heupel’s offense.
Brandon has the strength and athleticism to succeed when a play doesn’t go as designed. For a Heupel offense to maximize its potential,
a dual-threat quarterback is required. It also functions best when a quarterback is accurate enough on deep throws to extend a defense.
UT’s true freshman quarterback has accomplished that as well in a couple of games against outmanned opponents. On another first-quarter play against Georgia Tech (0-2), Brandon connected with wide receiver Radarious Jackson for a 45-yard completion.
He was hardly flawless in his second college start. His passing stats proved as much: 10 completions in 21 attempts for 148 yards.
Nonetheless, he drew praise from Heupel after the victory. Why? Because he affected the defense with his running and arm, and just as importantly, didn’t put Tennessee’s defense in harm’s way with turnovers.
Brandon has yet to throw an interception or lose a fumble. There’s no better way for a quarterback to earn a coach’s trust than with ball security. Talented and experienced quarterbacks sometimes fail at that.
Tennessee (2-0) understandably pursued those when the transfer portal opened in January. Never mind Brandon’s obvious talent. Inexperience can thwart the most talented quarterback.
The Vols made their strongest pitch for Arizona State dual-threat quarterback Sam Leavitt, who eventually chose LSU. Leavitt passed for 344 yards and ran for three touchdowns in LSU’s 45-14 victory over Louisiana Tech on Sept. 12. But he also threw three interceptions.
The Tigers overcame the turnovers with their enormous talent advantage. They wouldn’t have been as fortunate against a competitive opponent.
Oklahoma’s acclaimed dual-threat quarterback John Mateer proved that. His ill-advised, fourth-quarter throw was intercepted by Michigan’s Jyaire Hill. The turnover set up Michigan’s touchdown and 17-10 victory.
You can’t be sure how Brandon will fare against a higher level of competition. But against lesser opponents, he has demonstrated qualities that will serve him well in Heupel’s system.
Some of those qualities reminded me of former quarterback Tee Martin, one of the many stars on Tennessee’s 1998 national championship team.
Martin struggled with accuracy early in his first season as a starter. The accuracy came later during a 13-0 season. However, even when he wasn’t on target in September games, he impacted games with his running, especially in clutch situations, and later excelled on deep throws.
Brandon has yet to prove himself in the clutch. Lopsided games don’t offer an opportunity for that. But he is already winning over his coach.
“I thought he was composed,” Heupel said after the win over Georgia Tech. “He handled himself in situational football pretty well.
“First game on the road, 18 years old, handled himself well. He scrambled and made some plays.”
And he kept the interception column on the stat sheet empty.
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Why Faizon Brandon reminds me of former Tennessee football star Tee Martin | Adams
