Tennessee landed a historic dedication Saturday when Faizon Brandon, the highest total prospect within the Class of 2026, introduced his dedication to the Volunteers stay on CBS Sports activities HQ. The five-star quarterback picked Tennessee over Alabama, LSU and NC State to offer the Vols their first-ever pledge from a top-ranked participant within the 247Sports period.
Brandon acquired the No. 1 rating within the preliminary Top247 rankings in April following a standout sophomore season at Grimsley Excessive College in Greensboro, North Carolina. The 6-foot-4 QB led Grimsley to a 13-1 document whereas connecting on 69% of his passes for 3,026 yards with 36 touchdowns and three interceptions. He additionally flashed his mobility with 528 yards dashing and 9 touchdowns.
The younger star boasts what 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins described as “a uncommon mix of pocket-passer dimension and dual-threat athleticism to associate with a high-powered arm.” Although he plans to stay completely with soccer on the subsequent degree, Brandon’s athleticism can be evident on the hardwood, the place he provided vital contributions to a Grimsley basketball crew that completed 23-6 in 2023-24.
Brandon is Tennessee’s first dedication from the Class of 2026 and a possible anchor for the Volunteers to construct round as they search to cement their spot as one of many nation’s high offensive applications behind fourth-year coach Josh Heupel’s up-tempo scheme.
Scouting report on Brandon
With a uncommon mixture of passing precision and mobility, Brandon may have the instruments to compete for the beginning job at Tennessee early in his profession. Right here is extra on his recreation from Ivins’ scouting report:
Rhythmic as a passer, getting the ball out quick and to his playmakers. Likes to remain on schedule along with his clear footwork and exhibits poise within the face of strain. Correct to the numbers, and has discovered loads of success attacking the intermediate degree, however deep ball placement generally is a bit uneven. Efficient on designed runs along with his acceleration and his pure twitch in each the higher and decrease halves is right for run-pass choices. Actually benefited from throwing to a pair of Energy 4 broad receivers in his first 12 months as a starter, however recreation tape exhibits a possible game-breaker on the subsequent degree that is simply beginning to scratch the floor of what he could possibly be, particularly if you issue that he is youthful for the grade.
As Ivins famous, Brandon had a pair of elite receiver abilities at his disposal final season in Terrell Anderson and Alex Taylor, who’re each now school freshmen. Anderson ranked as a four-star prospect and is at NC State, whereas Taylor was a three-star prospect who landed at North Carolina.
However even with out Anderson and Taylor at Grimsley in 2024, Brandon remains to be anticipated to shine as the highest quarterback prospect in his class. Whereas nearly all of the highest prospects within the Class of 2026 are uncommitted, quarterbacks are distinctive because the significance and singularity of the place lead applications to plan years upfront. Brandon is the ninth quarterback among the many high 12 on the place to commit from the category.
Historical past for Tennessee
Brandon’s dedication continues a powerful run of quarterback recruiting for Tennessee underneath Heupel. Redshirt freshman and projected beginning quarterback Nico Iamaleava completed the 2023 recruiting cycle ranked No. 2 total within the Top247 Rankings. True freshman Jake Merklinger was a four-star prospect within the 2024 class, and the Vols even have a pledge from four-star Class of 2025 QB George McIntyre.
Like Iamaleava, working again Bryce Brown was contemplating the No. 2 prospect (247Sports Composite) in 2009. The Volunteers additionally landed the nation’s No. 3 total prospect within the Class of 2007 when security Eric Berry dedicated. Whereas the Class of 2026 rankings might nonetheless fluctuate over the subsequent 18-plus months, Brandon could be a historic addition if he retains the No. 1 total spot and indicators with the Volunteers.
