Five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon stands as the crown jewel of Tennessee’s 2026 recruiting class—a dynamic playmaker with elite traits and a growing on-field leadership presence.
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🌟 Elite Prospect Profile
Rankings & Accolades
Brandon is universally recognized as the top quarterback and one of the most elite players in the 2026 class, earning five-star status across major sites. 247Sports rates him No. 1 overall, while Rivals and On3 echo that sentiment .
As a sophomore, he amassed 3,026 passing yards, 36 touchdowns, and just three interceptions, plus 528 rushing yards and nine TDs—records that helped earn him North Carolina’s Gatorade Player of the Year .
Physical & Athletic Tools
Standing 6′4″ and weighing around 197–205 lbs, Brandon blends size with fluid athleticism. Originally more of a dual-threat in high school, he’s refined into a polished pocket passer—showing elite anticipation, accuracy, and an impressive deep ball—traits perfectly suited to Josh Heupel’s vertical, timing-based offense .
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🧩 Commitment to Tennessee
Brandon made his commitment on August 3, 2024, choosing Tennessee over powerhouses like Alabama, LSU, and NC State .
From his first unofficial visit the summer before junior year, he felt a strong connection to the program:
> “They started recruiting me early… the feeling for them was different and it never changed.”
He’s since become a vocal leader in the class—not just a recruit, but a recruiter. Brandon has actively engaged with other top targets like Tristen Keys, encouraging them to join Tennessee .
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🏈 Fit & Future at Rocky Top
ESPN analysts regard Brandon as an ideal fit, highlighting how he mirrors and surpasses Tennessee’s recent successful signal-callers in size, athleticism, accuracy, and vertical passing capability .
With the departure of Nico Iamaleava, the path to early playing time becomes clearer. Experts suggest Brandon could arrive ready to compete for the starting job upon arrival in 2026 .
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🔜 What’s Next
Brandon recently returned to Knoxville for his official visit, working the field and building relationships with his future teammates—solidifying his role as the face of Tennessee’s 2026 class . He also impressed at the Elite11 camp, reinforcing his projection as a future top-flight college quarterback .
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🗣️ Bottom Line
Tennessee has secured a generational talent in Faizon Brandon—one with the physical gifts, mental makeup, and leadership to reshape