Faizon Brandon’s first college game looked less like a freshman audition and more like a quarterback settling into a familiar rhythm.
Tennessee’s season-opening win over Furman gave the former five-star recruit a clean first test, and he handled it with the kind of calm that usually belongs to a much older player. Brandon ran the offense efficiently, kept the Vols moving, and showed he could hurt a defense with both his arm and his legs. It was the kind of debut that makes the “future superstar” label feel less like hype and more like a glimpse.
The numbers backed up the eye test. Brandon went 13-of-17 for 226 yards and three touchdowns through the air, then added 68 rushing yards and two more scores on the ground.
That made him the third Tennessee freshman quarterback to account for five total touchdowns in a game, joining Casey Clausen against Arkansas in 2000 and Tyler Bray against Memphis in 2010. Both of those quarterbacks threw five touchdown passes in their games.
Brandon’s five total touchdowns were also tied for the most by an FBS freshman in a season debut in the 21st century, according to CBS Sports.
He also made a little SEC history in the process. Brandon became the first SEC player with three touchdown passes and two touchdown runs in his first FBS start since Auburn’s Cam Newton in 2010.
GoVols247 broke down a dozen plays from the Furman game to show how Brandon put together such an impressive first outing, and the film matched the box score: efficient, decisive and dangerous in more than one way. Tougher opponents are coming, but Brandon’s first step was a loud one.
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Arion Carters Return Adds Intrigue To Tennessees First Road Test
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Tennessee Made An Early Move On A Lineman Vols Fans Should Track
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Williams came away with a positive impression of both the game-day setting and Tennessees coaching staff, which is exactly the kind of early momentum schools look for with an underclassman lineman. The Vols will have competition, though, with Boston College, Georgia, Duke and Wake Forest also among the schools that have offered, so Tennessee's next step will be turning that first visit into something more lasting. [Read more 🡒]