Faizon Brandon is a Vol

Tennessee might be becoming the new QBU. Josh Heupel’s offense is easy for a good quarterback to succeed in, and based on the last few years on the recruiting trail it seems that elite high school quarterbacks are starting to realize this too. The commitment of Faizon Brandon on Saturday marked the 3rd time in the last 3 years that a 5 star QB has committed to the Vols.

Brandon is the number 1 player in the class of 2026 according to 247 and if he stays committed for the next year and a half Joey Halzle might deserve a huge pay raise. Heupel and the staff were already cooking with peanut oil for the class of 2025 in the last few weeks, but getting the number 1 player in the country as their first commit for 2026 is a massive statement.

Brandon, a North Carolina native, committed to the Vols over Alabama, NC State, and LSU. Brandon after committing on Saturday emphasized once again the relationships and family atmosphere that the staff can nurture in Knoxville these days. In the World of NIL, it is refreshing to see that a coaching staff can still make relationships important to even the highest-profile recruits. So much so that Brandon has been in Knoxville for 8 visits since last summer.

It warms my heart to see Tennessee consistently winning recruiting battles over the big boys in college football. It just goes to show that when you don’t have a head coach with a room-temperature IQ at Tennessee recruiting success is inevitable.