Tennessee’s quarterback competition is moving toward a decision, and after the Vols finished their second fall camp scrimmage, the buzz has only picked up.
Chris Low of On3 added another notable layer to the conversation with a post on X, pointing out just how rare the situation could be for Tennessee if Brandon wins the job.
"Vols getting closer to opening the season with their first true freshman QB since Brent Schaeffer in 2004. Schaeffer was the first true freshman right out of high school to start at QB in the SEC since freshman eligibility was reinstated in 1973. So some heady stuff for Brandon," Chris Low said following the second scrimmage on Saturday.
That stat stands out, but the comparison only goes so far. Brandon is coming in as a highly regarded true freshman with a long track record of success at the high school level, and he was previously seen as the No. 1 player in the country. He’s also been described as arguably the best player in the country, not just the top quarterback in the class of 2026.
Schaeffer’s path looked different. He arrived at Tennessee as a talented freshman and earned the starting job in 2004, but his college career was uneven. After that, he moved on to Ole Miss, where he played most of his snaps, and that stretch was up and down as well.
For Tennessee, Brandon would be expected to carry a major load if he ends up starting in 2026, but the race is not settled yet. He still has to beat out George MacIntyre, who is back for his second season with the program and remains very much in the mix.
Whoever wins it, Tennessee fans will be ready. But with the way Low framed it - and with the predictions he has already put out there - the Vols may be leaning toward the former North Carolina High School star to open the season under center.
In Other News...
Joey Aguilar Is Making Jacksonville Face A Tough Roster Decision
Joey Aguilar has turned a quiet preseason opportunity into a real roster storyline in Jacksonville. The undrafted rookie quarterback, who led the SEC in passing yards last season at Tennessee before going unselected in the draft, has made the most of his snaps with the Jaguars and given the coaching staff something to weigh as roster decisions draw closer.
Through two preseason games, Aguilar has completed 10 of 11 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown, a start that keeps him firmly in the mix. He still has one more exhibition game to strengthen his case, and for a Jaguars team sorting out the back end of the quarterback room, his rise has made that final evaluation a tougher one. [Read more 🡒]
Former Vol Joey Aguilar Is Making A Real NFL Roster Push
Joey Aguilar is keeping himself in the NFL conversation, and Tennessee fans have a familiar name to watch as the preseason winds down. The former Vol quarterback turned in a sharp outing for the Jacksonville Jaguars against the Carolina Panthers, coming on in the second half and showing the kind of poise that can matter when teams are sorting out the back end of a roster.
Aguilar completed 9 of 10 passes for 130 yards and a touchdown, highlighted by a 29-yard scoring strike to rookie wide receiver Trebor Pea. For a quarterback trying to force his way onto the Jaguars' roster, it was the kind of efficient performance that gets attention in a crowded competition, even if the final call still has to be made. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Scrimmage Put One Key Vols Battle Back In Focus
Tennessees second fall scrimmage brought a little more clarity to a few spots and a little more intrigue to one of the deeper battles on the roster. As the Volunteers continue preparing for the 2026 opener against Furman, the secondary got a boost from newcomers TJ Metcalf and Dejuan Lane, who both stepped in for injured Edrees Farooq and came away with interceptions. It was the kind of showing that can matter in August, especially for a defense still sorting out how the pieces fit after camp.
Faizon Brandon also flashed the running ability that can add another layer to Tennessees offense, but the job still appears unsettled at right tackle. Ory Williams and Jesse Perry remain locked in a competition there, and it is the sort of battle that can quietly shape how smooth everything else looks once the season starts. For now, the Vols have a few encouraging signs and at least one starting-caliber decision still waiting to be made. [Read more 🡒]