No. 18 Tennessee will open its 2026 football season with freshman Faizon Brandon as the Vols' starting quarterback in Week 1.
The 6-foot-4, 225-pound freshman's first start will be against Furman on Sept. 5 at Neyland Stadium (3:30 p.m. EDT, SEC Network+).
Sixth-year head coach Josh Heupel discussed Brandon being named Tennessee's starting quarterback.
“Had the quarterbacks in this morning,” Heupel said on Monday. “Told the team this morning that Faizon had earned the right to be the starter Week 1. Love what the group has done, how they've competed, grown. Love how they competed and supported each other throughout the course of training camp.
“Faizon gets the nod Week 1. The expectation at the quarterback position, just like at every position as
guys continue to grow, work, and compete every day and continue to get better throughout the course of the season. Strength of one position group can never be one guy. It's true at quarterback. I know everybody focuses on the starter, but that group has to continue to grow and expect them to do that here as we get on the field again tomorrow, but leading up to Game 1 too."
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This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Josh Heupel details naming Faizon Brandon Vols' starting quarterback
