Fall camps are opening across college football this week, and with them come some of the most compelling quarterback battles of the 2026 season.

From Tennessee to Alabama, Florida, Iowa, Vanderbilt, and North Carolina, there are several programs set to make defining decisions under center over the next several weeks. With the action getting back in place, it feels like a perfect time to make some early predictions for who wins these quarterback battles in the end.

Tennessee: Faizon Brandon vs. George MacIntyre

The Volunteers have a fascinating battle between true freshman Faizon Brandon and redshirt freshman George MacIntyre. Both were well-regarded recruits with legitimate talent as throwers, but Brandon brings a dynamic athletic dimension that separates him. For a Tennessee team that returns a lot of skilled talent around a pretty inexperienced offensive line, opting for the true freshman feels like the right call.

There have been rave reviews around Tennessee this offseason for what the 5-star has shown for head coach Josh Heupel and the staff. While there is a lot to like with McIntyre, Brandon brings higher upside as an overall player. In the world of the transfer portal, whoever loses this battle probably will not be in the long-term plans for the Volunteer program. With the support around him, it feels like a good spot to drop a true freshman in and let him learn on the fly.

Prediction: Faizon Brandon

Alabama: Keelon Russell vs. Austin Mack

The Alabama Crimson Tide will sort through a battle between redshirt freshman Keelon Russell and redshirt junior Austin Mack. Coach Kalen DeBoer has a relationship with Mack dating back to his time at Washington, and Mack brings an appealing combination of size and arm talent. The overall dual-threat component Russell brings is just a little bit different, though. He possesses an incredibly talented throwing arm and is a dynamic athlete with his legs.

For an Alabama team completely making over its offensive line and extremely young up front, having a quarterback who can create with his legs could be a huge component. Russell was a 5-star player for a reason coming out of the state of Texas. After learning the offense for a year under Ty Simpson, this feels like the perfect time to unleash the young, talented signal caller.

Prediction: Keelon Russell

Florida: Aaron Philo vs. Tramell Jones Jr.

This is a fascinating one for new coach Jon Sumrall. There is familiarity between Philo and offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner due to their ties at Georgia Tech. Tramell Jones, however, is a young, extremely talented signal caller who has been getting some good reviews this offseason.

For now, the experience Philo brings in Faulkner’s offense will be the difference maker, which is why I believe he will be the starting quarterback to begin the year. If there are any struggles, don’t be shocked if Jones takes over at some point. But for now, the nod goes to Philo.

Prediction: Aaron Philo

Iowa: Jeremy Hecklinski vs. Hank Brown

A pair of transfers headline this battle for the Hawkeyes. Hecklinski arrives from Wake Forest, while Brown previously spent time with Auburn. They are very different quarterbacks. Hecklinski is a little bit smaller with a quicker release. Brown is a little bit bigger with more overall talent.

Hecklinski kind of feels more like a traditional Iowa signal caller, but the overall skill set and upside Brown still has in his arsenal can be enough for him to come out on top. I will give the slight nod to Brown, though I don’t feel great about this prediction overall.

Prediction: Hank Brown

Vanderbilt: Jared Curtis vs. Blaze Berlowitz

Most have listed this as a quarterback battle between 5-star freshman Jared Curtis and Blaze Berlowitz. While it seems some people like Berlowitz around the Nashville area, this is the Jared Curtis show ready to kick off. Vanderbilt unloaded the NIL fund for Curtis. He’s incredibly talented, and his game is pretty reminiscent of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Curtis is going to take his bumps early. But there’s plenty of talent around him in the skill positions, and I like for him to get an early start to his college career and go through some of those ups and downs.

Prediction: Jared Curtis

North Carolina: Billy Edwards Jr. vs. Miles O’Neill vs. Travis Burgess

Coach Bill Belichick will choose between Billy Edwards, a former transfer from Maryland and Wisconsin, Miles O’Neal, who spent time with Texas A&M, and true freshman Travis Burgess. At the best of his college experience, Edwards was a productive player at Maryland in 2024, but his 2025 season was derailed due to injury with the Badgers.

That experience does feel like a good spot to let younger players like Burgess develop behind him. When Edwards has been healthy, he has been a productive college quarterback, and I think that is enough for Belichick to opt for the veteran signal caller.

Prediction: Billy Edwards Jr.