True freshman Faizon Brandon will start at quarterback for the Tennessee Vols in the season opener against Furman on Saturday.

Brandon was named the starter after beating out redshirt freshman George MacIntyre in fall camp.

There are plenty of reasons to be excited about Brandon. He has impressive size (6-foot-4/225 pounds), he’s accurate with the football, he’s athletic, and he has the right mentality to thrive in the SEC.

But until he takes the field against Furman, he’s still mostly an unknown to Vols fans.

That’s why I think Tennessee fans should hear what Voice of the Vols Mike Keith, who has seen Brandon up close in practice and in scrimmages, had to say about the Greensboro, NC native this week.

Mike Keith likes how Faizon Brandon carries himself and the ‘moxie’ he has

Keith joined WNML’s SportsTalk on Wednesday and he shared some thoughts, based on what he saw this offseason, on Brandon.

“I think he’s as prepared as he can possibly be,” said Keith. “The question is: When he sees the action happen as fast as it’s going to, how will he react? He’s on our show tomorrow night (The Mike Keith Show). I’ve already had a chance to do that interview. I’m really blown away with him. I’m blown away with how he handles himself.

“I love the technique that he clearly plays with. He’s not an athlete playing quarterback — he’s a quarterback who’s a really special athlete. He has good footwork, a quick release, and he’s accurate with the ball. He knows how to play the position, and then the athleticism is off the charts. The competitiveness — there’s a moxie to him. All of the things are in place for him to have fabulous upside. Now, he has to go and do it. He has to experience it — wins, losses, and everything in between. And how he responds to that, and how he grows, will tell the overall story. But the optimism about who he is coming in at this point, it’s tremendous.”

That’s gotta get you fired up if you’re a Tennessee football fan.

But, and I’ve mentioned this a bunch at this point, it’s important to remember that Brandon is still just 18 years old. He’s going to make some mistakes. There will be some growing pains. But he’ll be a better player moving forward because of those growing pains and tough learning moments.