Tennessee’s quarterback battle got a little more attention this week, and it had nothing to do with a practice rep.
Freshman Faizon Brandon has signed a NIL deal with Rhoback, the brand announced Tuesday night, even as he continues competing with sophomore George MacIntyre for the Vols’ starting quarterback job. Brandon and MacIntyre have both had their moments during the first week of fall camp, and Saturday’s first fall scrimmage figures to be a major checkpoint in the competition.
Rhoback has been active on the college quarterback market this preseason. The brand has already signed Texas A&M’s Marcel Reed, Penn State quarterback Rocco Becht and Virginia quarterback Beau Pribula, while Notre Dame receiver Jordan Faison has also landed a deal with the company.
Founded in 2016, Rhoback has built a strong following as a men’s apparel brand and has expanded into college sports with golf shirts, sweatshirts and other team gear.
For Tennessee, Brandon remains one of the biggest names in the quarterback room before he’s even played a snap. The 6-foot-3 quarterback committed to the Vols in August 2024 over Alabama, LSU and North Carolina State, a major recruiting win for Josh Heupel and his staff. At the time, he was viewed as one of the top quarterbacks in the 2026 recruiting cycle.
According to the 247sports composite rankings, Brandon was a five-star prospect, the No. 10 recruit in the country, the No. 3 quarterback and the No. 2 player in North Carolina in the 2026 class.
He starred at Grimsley High School in Greensboro, where he helped lead the Whirlies to state championships in both his junior and senior seasons.
The quarterback spot is the biggest question hanging over Tennessee this preseason. Brandon and MacIntyre both enter camp without meaningful college experience, but the Vols are trying to support them with proven talent around the offense. Tennessee returns seven starters on that side of the ball, including potential All-SEC contributors David Sanders Jr, Wendell Moe Jr, DeSean Bishop, Braylon Staley and Mike Matthews.
The Vols were ranked No. 18 in the USA Today Coaches Poll last week, and they’ll face four teams that are also in the preseason rankings. Their regular-season win total is set at 7.5 by DraftKings Sportsbook.
In Other News...
Tennessee Already Has A Tight End Concern In Fall Camp
Tennessees tight end room is already getting a closer look in fall camp after Ethan Davis was slowed by an injury on the first day of practice. The sophomore has been out of action since then, and with the unit still sorting through recent transfers and new arrivals, the Volunteers have been forced to spread the work around while Davis watches from the sideline.
In the meantime, DaSaahn Brame, Cole Harrison and Luca Wolf have taken reps and gotten more chances to show where they fit. Tight ends coach Alec Abeln has indicated the injury is not considered serious, and Tennessee is treating Davis carefully rather than rushing him back, but the opening stretch of camp has already put some early pressure on a position group that needed clean reps. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee May Already Be Leaning On Two Newcomers Up Front
Tennessees front line looks a lot different this fall, and not just because the Volunteers are replacing all four defensive line starters from last season after they moved on to professional football. With key depth pieces Jordan Ross and Caleb Herring also gone, the reshuffle has put a premium on the newcomers who arrived to stabilize a position group that has to find answers fast.
Rodney Garner has stressed the need for steady improvement in camp, and two transfers have already started to separate themselves in the conversation. Xavier Gilliam and Jordan Norman have been productive enough to draw attention in practice, and both are positioned to matter right away as Tennessee sorts out who can absorb the snaps and responsibility left behind up front. [Read more 🡒]
Rodney Garner Sent Tennessees Defensive Line A Message They Needed
As Tennessee closes in on the 2024 season, Rodney Garner has made it clear the defensive line still has work to do before it looks like a finished group. The veteran coach has seen enough in practice to know the position room cannot afford to drift through August, especially with departures already thinning out the depth chart and new faces trying to carve out roles.
The bigger challenge now is finding someone who can steady the unit and become a reliable presence up front. Penn State transfer Xavier Gilliam and Tulane edge Jordan Norman are among the additions expected to help, but Garners message was broader than any one player: the line needs consistency, leadership and a clear voice before the real games begin. [Read more 🡒]