Vols fans saw all they needed to see from Faizon Brandon thanks to one video from Tennessee
True freshman Faizon Brandon will start at quarterback for the Vols in Tennessee’s season opener against Furman on September 5.
Tennessee Vols fans are feeling excited after seeing a video of true freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon throwing the ball in Neyland Stadium.
The official Tennessee football Twitter account posted a video on Thursday evening that included a couple of highlights of Brandon throwing, and let’s just say he definitely looks like the real deal.
This throw in particular has Vols fans salivating at the idea of what’s possible in Josh Heupel’s offense with Brandon under center.
I’ve said it a bunch over the last few weeks, but it bears repeating: Brandon is a young player and he will have some growing pains this fall. But man, he has the potential to be a special player for the Vols.
“More arm talent than Hendon Hooker”
There’s no doubt that Hendon Hooker has been the best quarterback of the Heupel era so far.
Hooker’s 2022 season was a continuous highlight reel where it felt like the Greensboro, NC native hit every deep throw and made a play with his arm every time the Vols had to have it.
But as good as Hooker was, the belief is that Brandon, who is also from Greensboro, NC, is even more talented.
“Think about how good Tennessee’s deep game was with [Hooker],” said On3’s Chris Low this week on WNML’s Josh and Swain. “And I know they certainly feel that Brandon will get to that point, too. He’s got even more talent. Faizon’s got more arm talent than Hooker did, and I know that’s the thing that [Tennessee is] most excited about.”
Arm talent, of course, is more than just arm strength. It’s the ability to put the ball where it needs to be on time with the right amount of zip. And Brandon’s talent in that area is something that’s been impressing reporters and talent evaluators since he was in high school.
“The thing that I fell in love with with Faizon Brandon when he camped at Tennessee in back to back years is I thought he was extremely accurate,” said VolQuest’s Brent Hubbs earlier this year. “You can’t read at a camp setting what [a player’s] processing is and all of those types of things, because you’re playing one on one, that type of thing. But I thought he was extremely accurate with the ball — both on the move and in the pocket.”
There’s a lot to be excited about for Vols fans with Brandon set to run the show in 2026.
