Josh Heupel explains why he named Faizon Brandon QB1: ‘He’s earned the right’
By Ethan Stone
Published:
The Tennessee Volunteers are set to start the season with a true freshman at quarterback for the first time since 2004. Head coach Josh Heupel told his players and later reporters Monday that former 5-star prospect Faizon Brandon will start for the Vols on Sept. 5 against Furman.
Heupel explained his decision to roll with Brandon over returner George MacIntyre while speaking with reporters this morning:
“People want to say, ‘Is there one focal point that changed it?’ I think in all his control, command of what we’re doing offensively – that’s in the run game, it’s the RPO game, it’s the drop-back play action,” Heupel said, via GoVols247. “Combine that with the fundamentals, technique, pocket awareness, you put all those things together. Decision-making, taking care of the football, while still allowing his playmakers to make plays down the field. You look at the total volume of work, and he’s earned the right to start.”
Brandon impressed the staff with his willingness to put in the work, too. The former 5-star is far from entitled — he was in the shop crafting his game and putting in extra work during the summer, something Heupel took notice of. That preparation, Heupel said Monday, played a role in Brandon earning the starting nod and his growth from the Vols’ spring game to now, just a few weeks before the start of the season.
“The entire group has worked and competed extremely hard, but I think something that sticks out is we break in May for a few weeks of vacation, and he’s in the building,” Heupel told reporters. “Whether that’s in the weight room, whether that’s in the video room, walking through things on the turf in our indoor, working on fundamentals. That type of mentality, attitude is a tribute to him and his growth. That’s why he’s continued to grow as fast as he has.”
As mentioned, Tennessee’s first game of the 2026 season is set for Saturday, Sept. 5. The game is set to kick off at 3:30 p.m. and will be aired on SEC Network+.
Ethan Stone is a Saturday Down South News Editor and an advocate for the return of the Seattle Supersonics.
