Josh Heupel has named freshman Faizon Brandon starting quarterback for the Tennessee football's season opener against Furman on Sept. 5 (3:30 p.m., ESPN+/SEC Network+), Knox News confirmed on Aug. 24.
Brandon, a former five-star recruit and the No. 3 overall player in the class of 2026 according to 247Sports, beat out sophomore George MacIntyre and Colorado transfer Ryan Staub in competition for the No. 18 Vols' starting job during preseason practices.
Having arrived on campus in January with lofty expectations, Brandon now has a loaded SEC schedule that includes dates with No. 4 Texas, No. 8 Texas A&M, No. 11 Alabama and No. 13 LSU in front of him.
The immense natural talent Brandon brings to the Vols offense had fans and media buzzing about what
he's capable of as the starting quarterback. He'll be surrounded by a supporting cast that includes four incumbent starters on the offensive line, preseason All-SEC third-team selection DeSean Bishop at running back and two productive returning receivers in Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley.
Faizon Brandon is the first true freshman QB to start Week 1 for Tennessee since 2004 🍊
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) August 24, 2026
His HS résumé:
• 35-1 as a starter
• 8,984 total yards and 114 TDs
Brandon committed before his junior season, never wavered, and now enters Year 1 as QB1 📈https://t.co/xaXKHBLux3 https://t.co/Tndl13ie8Z pic.twitter.com/pXAyapqsSR
In June of 2025 Faizon Brandon won the Railshot Challenge during an impressive showing at the Elite 11 Finals.
— Billy Tucker (@TheUCReport) August 24, 2026
Now, just over a year later, he’s been named the starter for Tennessee as a 5-star true freshman.
Wild. pic.twitter.com/4NNtPaV1BX
Have watched this kid since his youth days. Tennessee fans will enjoy him. Excited to watch him play.
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) August 24, 2026
He can spin it. https://t.co/Ko4VCzslGO
“Look three Heismans isn’t realistic but two…” - Vols fans after an opening TD drive against Furman https://t.co/daYUm6miZm
— Mark Nagi (@MarkNagi) August 24, 2026
Official. Faizon Brandon has a ton of potential. Excited to see what this year looks like for him.
— Will Boling (@will_boling) August 24, 2026
I think he's walking into a really good situation with all the production the Vols bring back on offense. https://t.co/qJQrEsn9pl
Stephen Thompson covers Tennessee Volunteers men's basketball. Email him at stephen.thompson@knoxnews.com and follow him on X @stephenethom.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Social media reacts to Faizon Brandon being named Tennessee starting quarterback
