ESPN dropped a strong take on how Tennessee true freshman QB Faizon Brandon compares to former Vols QBs Hendon Hooker and Joe Milton
There’s a growing feeling that true freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon, who just turned 18 this week, will serve as the Tennessee Volunteers’ starting quarterback in 2026.
As we enter the summer months, true freshman Faizon Brandon is viewed as the favorite to win the Tennessee Vols’ starting quarterback job.
Brandon, who just turned 18 this week, reportedly looked better in spring practice than redshirt freshman George MacIntyre.
“[I] had a chance to talk with some of the guys, some of the coaches, this week over there on campus,” said On3’s Chris Low in May. “I know there’s a lot of attention on the quarterback. Is it going to be Brandon? Is it going to be George MacIntyre? I think Brandon is the guy unless he does not play well in preseason — if he just has a bad camp — or if MacIntyre just plays lights out. I think coming out of the spring, the way I would put it is Brandon has positioned himself nicely to be the starter. He still has to go lock it down. You can’t fool the players.”
MacIntyre has a slight edge in experience (he attempted nine passes as a true freshman in 2025), but Brandon is considered the more talented player.
ESPN compares Faizon Brandon to Hendon Hooker and Joe Milton
ESPN’s Billy Tucker ranked the top 100 “newcomers” in college football ahead of the 2026 season and he has Brandon, a former five-star recruit, at No. 21.
Tucker pointed out that Brandon is essentially a complete quarterback with great arm strength, accuracy, and mobility.
He also noted that Brandon is “more advanced” than former Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker at the same age, and he’s a better passer than former UT quarterback Joe Milton.
“Despite his age, Brandon uses his solid, balanced base to play under control,” wrote Tucker. “He has the arm strength to make any throw and the accuracy to layer in balls where needed. While Brandon has plenty of arm talent, he’s also athletic and mobile enough to pressure defenses with his legs. He will have to grow up fast and adapt quickly to the pace and smaller throwing windows in college, but he has very good tools to make an impact if his name is called. Brandon is more advanced than Hendon Hooker at the same stage and more advanced as a passer than Joe Milton.”
Hooker, who started his career at Virginia Tech, is one of the best Tennessee quarterbacks this century.
It’s certainly encouraging for Vols fans that ESPN believes he’s more advanced than Hooker at the same age (Hooker didn’t record any stats as a true freshman at Virginia Tech, but he passed for 1,335 yards and 13 touchdowns as a redshirt freshman in 2019).
There’s still a long way to go before Tennessee names a starting quarterback. But at this point, it would be a surprise if it’s not Brandon under center for the first snap of the season against Furman on September 5.