Vols insider details whether fans should expect to continue to see Tennessee use the Faizon Brandon package
Tennessee used true freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon on three snaps in the Vols’ win over Kentucky.
For the last month, Tennessee fans and media members have been wondering if Josh Heupel would have a package for true freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon.
Before the Kentucky game, Brandon hadn’t played since getting replaced by sophomore George MacIntyre in the Vols’ win over Auburn (Brandon wasn’t playing well and he also was dealing with a shoulder injury that he suffered against Texas the previous week).
Heupel didn’t use Brandon in the games against Arkansas, Alabama, and South Carolina before surprisingly sending the North Carolina native onto the field during Tennessee’s first offensive drive against Kentucky.
Brandon handed off to running back DeSean Bishop on the Vols’ first third down against the Wildcats.
Later in the game, Brandon rushed for a first down on a quarterback keeper on a key third down. And in the fourth quarter, Brandon handed the ball to Mike Matthews (it was technically a pass play) on a play that went for a touchdown.
Brandon was on the field for three snaps and he was used in different ways on all three plays.
Now the big question is what’s next for Brandon in Tennessee’s offense?
VolQuest’s Austin Price says he thinks Tennessee will continue to use Brandon in certain spots, and he also thinks there are quite a few different plays the Vols could run with the true freshman.
“He’s healthy,” said Price of Brandon on 104.5 The Zone’s Ramon and Will. “And I would tell you that yes, I think you will continue to see this package from Faizon. I think there will be new wrinkles out of it. I think there will be the ability to throw the football down the field. It won’t always be just at the line of scrimmage or him running.
“But you don’t always want to show all your cards out of the gates. You want to keep some of the bullets in the gun for later. Now, whether they use them this week or next week, I think a lot of it depends on how the game goes this week (against Texas A&M). I mean, I’m not using one of my specialty plays out of that package if I don’t have to. I think a lot of it depends on the moment and where they’re at on the field — down and distance and all that stuff. But yes, I think you will continue to see Faizon Brandon integrated into the offensive game plan.”
This is certainly something that can be a weapon for the Vols down the stretch. But as Price noted, it’s not something Tennessee is likely to use if they don’t have to. If they don’t need it against Texas A&M, then maybe we don’t see Brandon again until the LSU game. Or maybe he just comes in to hand the ball off against Texas A&M and the Vols don’t show any other look with him. Or maybe we see Brandon throw the ball down the field out of that package.
That’s the great thing about this for Heupel — no one knows what plays Tennessee could run with Brandon right now, which means the Vols could have quite a few well-timed tricks up their sleeve in some big moments.
