The quarterback battle at Tennessee is still the biggest thing hanging over Week 1 at Neyland Stadium, and the latest buzz suggests five-star freshman Faizon Brandon is acting like the job is already his.
That doesn’t mean the race is over. Redshirt freshman George MacIntyre is still in it, and Josh Heupel has plenty to sort out before the Vols open the season. But the tone around the competition has shifted toward Brandon, who appears to have taken the lead after spring practice.
On3’s Brent Hubbs, speaking on 99.1, put it plainly:
"(Faizon Brandon) is preparing everyday to be a starter b/c he thinks he can really win this job. And George (MacIntyre) has to look at it as 'I didn't run away with it in the spring.'"
"(Faizon Brandon) is preparing everyday to be a starter b/c he thinks he can really win this job. And George (MacIntyre) has to look at it as 'I didn't run away with it in the spring.'" @Brent_Hubbs joined @VinceSports & @JimmyHyams to talk @Vol_Football. https://t.co/SSyYFs3Za9 pic.twitter.com/IblBG2fTFq
- 99.1 THE Sports Animal (@SportsAnimal991) July 7, 2026
That kind of approach fits what has been said about Brandon for a while. He has been viewed as the likely favorite, even with MacIntyre getting an extra year to absorb the offense and develop while Brandon was still in high school. MacIntyre never really created enough separation to make the decision easy.
Brandon’s appeal goes beyond the recruiting ranking. He won only one game in high school, and that sort of confidence and edge is part of what makes him stand out.
It’s not something a coach can manufacture. He brings the kind of swagger Tennessee fans want to see from the player leading the offense.
There will still be an adjustment if Brandon wins the job, especially with the jump to the SEC. But the traits are there.
He has a rocket for an arm, can make every throw, and processes the game well. He knows when to tuck it and run, when to throw it away, and he can create with his legs when plays break down.
His spring game didn’t turn heads, but there were reasons for that. Brandon missed most of his freshman year because of a hand injury, and that was his first live action in front of a crowd against Division I talent. More time in the playbook and a better offensive line should help him settle in.
For now, the biggest takeaway is simple: Brandon is preparing like a starter. For an 18-year-old, that kind of confidence stands out. And for Tennessee, it’s exactly the sort of sign fans were hoping to hear.
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Even with Tennessee already building some linebacker momentum in the class, this one had the feel of a major swing opportunity. Igwebuike made it to Knoxville for the Orange and White Game, but the Vols never got him back for an official visit, leaving plenty of room for another program to seize control of the race. [Read more 🡒]
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For Tennessee, the bigger picture is what comes next. Aguilar is gone to the NFL, and the Vols are left sorting out a quarterback room that now centers on Faizon Brandon, George MacIntyre and Ryan Staub, with the job opening up at a moment when the program is trying to carry forward what Aguilar helped build. [Read more 🡒]