Faizon Brandon is only two games into his Tennessee career, but the early returns have already drawn plenty of attention.
The freshman quarterback has helped the Vols jump to a 2-0 start, rolling past Furman at home before steering Tennessee to a solid road win at Georgia Tech the next Saturday. In those two games, Brandon has gone 23-of-38 for 374 yards with five touchdown passes and no interceptions. He’s added another layer with his legs, rushing 15 times for 90 yards and two scores.
That mix of poise and playmaking is what caught the eye of ESPN analyst and former NFL player Louis Riddick after the Georgia Tech game. Brandon’s passing line in that one was modest - 148 yards, two touchdowns and no picks - but Riddick came away impressed.
“TRUE Freshman QB Faizon Brandon gonna be special,” Riddick wrote on his X account. “You could see the growth from week one to week 2 last night as far as the composure in every situation, and the ability to turn a bad play into a good play simply because he has the special pass/run dual threat traits to do so. When you then consider the punishing ground game that they have in place to support him, you realize @Vol_Football is going to be a force to be reckoned with in ‘26.”
What stood out most in the win over Georgia Tech was exactly what Riddick highlighted: Brandon’s ability to threaten defenses as both a passer and runner. He turned multiple third downs into first downs with his legs, keeping drives alive even when the original plan was to throw. And when he did stay in the pocket, he delivered enough sharp throws to finish with both touchdown passes.
Tennessee coach Josh Heupel saw the same thing after the game, especially the calm Brandon showed in his first road start. Asked to assess the freshman’s performance, Heupel praised his composure and decision-making.
“The stat sheet is not going to be elite,” Heupel said. “I actually really like the way he played the game.
I thought he was composed, he handled himself in situational football pretty well. First game on the road, 18 years old, handled himself well, took care of (the ball).
Scrambled, made some plays. There’s a couple things that he’s going to learn from and get better from, but all in all, really good.
He had a great look, demeanor. He’s been consistent in that way.”
Brandon’s next assignment should be a friendlier one. Kennesaw State visits Neyland Stadium on Saturday, with kickoff set for 7:45 p.m. ET on SEC Network.
In Other News...
Faizon Brandon Gets A Massive Tennessee Test Sooner Than Anyone Expected
The SEC opener in Knoxville arrives with a little more intrigue than Tennessee probably expected this early, and it starts with the spotlight on Faizon Brandon. The true freshman has stepped into the biggest job on the field for a Volunteers team that is already 2-0, and now he gets a noon kickoff on ABC in Neyland Stadium against Texas, another undefeated team with its own freshman quarterback story line in Arch Manning.
September 26 will be Brandons first real crash course in what SEC life looks like when the stakes and the stage both jump at once. Tennessee does not have the luxury of easing him into the league schedule, and Texas brings the kind of early test that can expose young quarterbacks quickly, especially in a matchup that will set the tone for both teams before the rest of the conference slate really takes hold. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Defense Has The Talent But One Issue Still Lingers
There is plenty to like about Tennessees defense on paper, and Amare Campbell sounded like a player who can see the ceiling as clearly as anyone in the room. The linebacker pointed to the groups talent, leadership and edge, while also crediting Arion Carter for bringing energy and helping set the tone. He also noted how the Volunteers have leaned into a four-linebacker package and how much internal competition has sharpened that room.
Still, Campbells bigger point was that the Vols have to clean up the details before the talent really starts showing up on Saturdays. He emphasized consistent execution, better technique and fewer penalties, and said the challenge has been carrying practice intensity into game action. It is the kind of issue Tennessee can live with in August, but one that becomes a lot harder to ignore once the season starts to settle in. [Read more 🡒]
One Hall Of Fame Voter Sees Tennessee Very Differently Right Now
Tennessees early-season win over Georgia Tech helped the Volunteers land at No. 14 in the latest FWAA-NFF Super 16 Poll, a weekly ranking that comes from FWAA writers and College Football Hall of Fame inductees. Released after Week 2 of the 2026 college football season, the poll offers another snapshot of how the sports insiders are sizing up the first stretch of the year, and Tennessee has clearly made an impression.
The ranking also gives the Vols a familiar measuring-stick moment, because the group at the top remains Texas at No. 1. For Tennessee, the bigger question now is whether that early recognition turns into something more lasting as the season settles in, with the poll serving as one more sign that the win over Georgia Tech may have mattered beyond the scoreboard. [Read more 🡒]