'26 NC QB Faizon Brandon (Tennessee commit)

[OrangeMoundTNVol]

If you look at Brandon throw, he throws a perfect spiral and it goes exactly where he needs it to go.

And it’s effortless.
Do you remember those Nerf balls? The ones that whistled when you threw them?
The way he throws a regular football is how other HS QBs would throw a nerf ball. He’s as good a runner as Hendon. More accurate than Hendon.
But with the arm talent of Joe Milton. GMAC doesn’t stand a chance. And probably not Merklinger either. Because Nico will leave and Faizon arrives. And that’s crazy to think about, because both of those guys are so talented…

I think the only QB that would keep Faizon Brandon on the bench is a RS Junior Nico Imalaeava . But Nico is probably gone after 2025 season.

I low key agree with you but it’s hard counting out 6’6 gunslingers(or Peyton & Bray made me this way).

 

[LittleVol]

I low key agree with you but it’s hard counting out 6’6 gunslingers(or Peyton & Bray made me this way).

True.
GMAC with a year in the system plus strength and conditioning is an outstanding player.

That’s like Nico all this year. Super talented but still learning, but at the same time WAY better than he was a true freshman.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

Imagine we get Nico to stay for ‘26 and have Brandon take over after him

Completely forgetting about Merk and GMac huh?

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

Not if he's really just JG.

lol. This is blue font right? Nico is light years better than JG ever was. Good grief.

 

[kamoshika]

Grimsley edged Hough last night, 35-28, leaning heavily on their ground game with all-state RB Mitchell Summers running for 288 yards, but Brandon still hit 6 of 9 throws for 118 yards and 3 TDs.

Now it is fourth down and six from the 26 yard line of Hough and still with no Summers. Not wanting to risk a long field goal, coach Brown sent the offense back on the field. Brandon took the snap, rolled right and then threw the ball all the way back across the field to a wide open DJ Howerton. It was an improbable play that went for a 26 yard touchdown reception and put the Whirlies back on top with 46 seconds to play. It was perfectly executed, a great throw and catch and proved to be the game winner.
Instant Classic: Grimsley defeats Hough 35-28 - Greensboro Sports

 

[NighthawkVol]

If you look at Brandon throw, he throws a perfect spiral and it goes exactly where he needs it to go.

And it’s effortless.
Do you remember those Nerf balls? The ones that whistled when you threw them?
The way he throws a regular football is how other HS QBs would throw a nerf ball. He’s as good a runner as Hendon. More accurate than Hendon.
But with the arm talent of Joe Milton. GMAC doesn’t stand a chance. And probably not Merklinger either. Because Nico will leave and Faizon arrives. And that’s crazy to think about, because both of those guys are so talented…

I think the only QB that would keep Faizon Brandon on the bench is a RS Junior Nico Imalaeava . But Nico is probably gone after 2025 season.

I agree with you regarding the talent. But assuming Nico leaves after next year, I think Merklinger, in his 3rd season, wins the job, at least for a year. Brandon winning the job as a true freshman is highly unlikely. We’ve seen how much Nico has had to grow/learn and he’s in his 2nd year in the system. Faizon, like most true freshman QBs, will need a year to learn.

I like Merk a lot. I think he can be a solid place holder until Faizon is ready.

 

[CNeagleVolFan]

I think Merk is being underrated by a lot of yall. Him as a RS sophomore will likely win the job in 2026. Though, I will welcome Brandon or G-Mac proving me wrong.

 

[TrippieRedd]

I think Merk is being underrated by a lot of yall. Him as a RS sophomore will likely win the job in 2026. Though, I will welcome Brandon or G-Mac proving me wrong.

I’ve said this as well. He knows the playbook and has looked pretty good in his limited time.

GMac will play in 3-4 games, but will ultimately RS. Also needs to put on about 20-30 pounds.

Heupel prioritizes knowing the playbook over talent. Merk will have a huge head start over GMac.

Ultimately I think it depends on if Nico goes pro after his RS Soph season or his RS Jr season.

 

[Jackcrevol]

I think Merk is being underrated by a lot of yall. Him as a RS sophomore will likely win the job in 2026. Though, I will welcome Brandon or G-Mac proving me wrong.

Merk is going to ball out.

 

[LittleVol]

I agree with you regarding the talent. But assuming Nico leaves after next year, I think Merklinger, in his 3rd season, wins the job, at least for a year. Brandon winning the job as a true freshman is highly unlikely. We’ve seen how much Nico has had to grow/learn and he’s in his 2nd year in the system. Faizon, like most true freshman QBs, will need a year to learn.

I like Merk a lot. I think he can be a solid place holder until Faizon is ready.

Merk will need to play some next year.
Anything that to give him an edge going into 2026.

I think Faizon is the best QB Tennessee has ever recruited. I literally the same thing about Nico 2 years ago.

Before we got a commitment from Faizon, I was the main person saying people are sleeping on Merklinger and he’s going to push Nico when he gets here. But being that he won’t have a chance to start until 2026…everything is fair game, and I don’t see Heupel starting a RSSo over his prized recruit for 2026

I think RIGHT NOW. Faizon is good enough to start for a P4 team. 2 years from now??

It’s a weird situation to think about. Because Merklinger is so talented. GMAC is 6’5 and has a rocket and can run. Then you have Brandon who has the body of a TE, with the speed of a WR, but can make every throw in football.

 

[JCVol00]

I think Merk is being underrated by a lot of yall. Him as a RS sophomore will likely win the job in 2026. Though, I will welcome Brandon or G-Mac proving me wrong.

I think we are set regardless of which one will start, they are all upper p5 quality

 

[Midas]

I think we are set regardless of which one will start, they are all upper p5 quality

Merk’s highlight tape is more similar to Hendon’s from high school than any of the other QB’s. Lots of big tough runs and big throws down the field. All 3 of the younger guys are gonna be fun to watch. Gonna be a crazy qb competition.

 

[JCVol00]

Merk’s highlight tape is more similar to Hendon’s from high school than any of the other QB’s. Lots of big tough runs and big throws down the field. All 3 of the younger guys are gonna be fun to watch. Gonna be a crazy qb competition.

Merk’s film is impressive, Brandon reminds me the most of Hooker with his frame and overall skill set. GMac is the one that im really intrigued to see, because he is most similar to nico, but more polished as a dee passer

 

[reVOLution33]

LOL at that whirling rope out to the sideline for a TD pass at 26 seconds into this video. That's a thing of beauty. Shew, man. Definitely the look of a #1 rated QB.

Why is there no one in the stands?

 

[MarcoVol]

Why is there no one in the stands?

Bc it’s a HS football game

 

[KPT_VFL]

Belichicks first phone call?

 

[MarcoVol]

Belichicks first phone call?

You mean whoever he hires as a GM first phone call? BB has the personality of tree bark and he will absolutely hate recruiting. He’ll leave that up to others.

 

[knoxvol52]

You mean whoever he hires as a GM first phone call? BB has the personality of tree bark and he will absolutely hate recruiting. He’ll leave that up to others.

Josh Daniels OC

 

[Volfan1000]

You mean whoever he hires as a GM first phone call? BB has the personality of tree bark and he will absolutely hate recruiting. He’ll leave that up to others.

Belichick is an interesting hire by North Carolina and we will see if he likes to recruit 24/7/365.

 

[volsfan24017]

Belichicks first phone call?

Orders for all of the footballs to be deflated a little.

 

[SGMVols]

Belichicks first phone call?

Hard to imagine he wouldn’t be high on the list considering he is right in UNC’s backyard.

It’s probably going to cost more money to keep this kid away from BB than it did to land Nico

 

[jasonvol18]

There’s only one coach in the country who can march into a living room and plop 6 Super Bowl rings on the table.

I’m telling y’all he’s going to get a lot of talent to UNC for at least the first couple of years on name alone

We can agree to disagree. Without Brady he was trash. He couldn't win before or after without Brady. He won't recruit well, I assure you. He barely got a long and couldn't relate to Vetern NFL guys, he damn sure won't with college kids. I'm sure they know his name, but BB hasn't been relevant since this kids were in middle school. Not to mention he's 73 and we all know he would bolt to the NFL the 1st chance he gets. No way he wants to put in the 24/7 work it takes to recruit and recruit kids every year

 

[LouderVol]

There’s only one coach in the country who can march into a living room and plop 6 Super Bowl rings on the table.

I’m telling y’all he’s going to get a lot of talent to UNC for at least the first couple of years on name alone

its going to depend on who they bring in for QB coach and OC. there is a big difference in coaching NFL talent, and coaching up kids for the NFL.

they can sell his success at the pro level to get in the door, and maybe if it comes down to a tie. but I doubt it is the main reason.

now whatever NIL money having Bill may shake free could definitely make a difference.

 

[Vols919]

I don't think any 16-17 year olds are itching to run an offense from 2006, or have UNC GM Michael Lombardi as their primary recruiter

 

[SGMVols]

I don't think any 16-17 year olds are itching to run an offense from 2006, or have UNC GM Michael Lombardi as their primary recruiter

BB is a defensive guy. He’ll probably turn most of the offensive work over to his OC