'26 NC QB Faizon Brandon (Tennessee commit)

[bpalmer28]

— Andrew Ivins, 247Sports director of scouting

I wish there was a measurable for how quickly someone processes information and makes decisions. I stopped caring about “arm talent” in 2021.

 

[Beatlebrainiac]

35 TDs and only 2 picks on 77 percent accuracy plus an undefeated junior season speaks to his ability to process information and make decisions, I think. Most of the games weren't even close and he was on the bench by the second half

 

[Bollweevil]

Does he get to play in the game?

Not on a roster that I can see.

 

[swampfoxfan]

Who else is still furious our dumb coaches took this lower rated QB instead of going all-in on Jared Curtis FROM RIGHT HERE IN OUR GREAT STATE OF TENNESSEE!!! Raise your hands you know who you were.

Would have been happy with Curtis, but I'm super excited to get Brandon

 

[tennesseefan31]

Rarely say this but I think he starts day 1 assuming Nico goes pro.

 

[LotteryPick]

Rarely say this but I think he starts day 1 assuming Nico goes pro.

I’d think they roll with Merklinger in that scenario. RS Sophomore and he’ll get plenty of mop up duty next season.

 

[Go Fight Win]

I’d think they roll with Merklinger in that scenario. RS Sophomore and he’ll get plenty of mop up duty next season.

Merk and gmac both will play before Brandon. Don’t think any program in the country will have the talent on roster we will have in two years at the position

 

[marcusluvsvols]

As good as anyone in the country? That's preposterous. Nico was average, at best, this year. He needs to step up his game in a big way next year.

??? I never said Nico was as good as anyone in the country...thats a Hell of a straw man you're arguing with there bud. I simply said he wasn't really the problem this year, that I thought it was more on the WR and OLine. You quoted my post so its there if you wanna check it out. Nicos 2024 stats are nearly identical to Miltons 2023 stats. Joe in his 5th year of college football....Nico in his 1st. Yet Joe got drafted in the middle rounds and everyone says he did a pretty good job, but some folks think Nico had a bad year. With the same stats. As a freshman. Thats like Liberal Logic. An oxymoron.

 

[marcusluvsvols]

Where do you find these films? I’d love to watch some film

This guy is good but not a UT fan


This guy IS a diehard UT fan, and does film breakdown on recruits and opponents. He is good, but doesnt always do an All 22 beeakdown. Some of his videos will have All22 written in blue at the bottom of the screen but not in the title.

 

[MHS Rebel]

Just named best overall player at the Navy HS All-American game.

 

[VolInDayton]

He was on TV and they talked about him being the first #1 prospect to win the combine since Trevor Lawrence. The state of North Carolina doesn't allow JRs to compete in all-star games, but there are JRs playing in the game this year

 

[Vol423]

??? I never said Nico was as good as anyone in the country...thats a Hell of a straw man you're arguing with there bud. I simply said he wasn't really the problem this year, that I thought it was more on the WR and OLine. You quoted my post so its there if you wanna check it out. Nicos 2024 stats are nearly identical to Miltons 2023 stats. Joe in his 5th year of college football....Nico in his 1st. Yet Joe got drafted in the middle rounds and everyone says he did a pretty good job, but some folks think Nico had a bad year. With the same stats. As a freshman. Thats like Liberal Logic. An oxymoron.

Yes. That was totally a strawman argument. I don't know where I came up with that.

This offense wont be held back by QB play any time soon IMO. Thats the 1 position where we are as good as anyone in the country. Our Oline and WR rooms need talent.

 

[CagleMtnVol]

Just named best overall player at the Navy HS All-American game.

Junior combine. Brandon is just a Junior.

 

[marcusluvsvols]

Yes. That was totally a strawman argument. I don't know where I came up with that.

My bad man. Should have worded that differently. Fwiw, my intention in my original post wasnt that Nico was as good as anyone in the country in 2024. He definitely wasn't as a RS Freshman.Clearly, Nico was not as good as several QBs last year most notably Ward IMO. I intended to say that QB is the 1 position that UT is set for the future and I believe we have a better QB room than anyone in the country. I think Nico is gonna be great in 25 and 26, and between Jake, Gmac, and Faizon i think we will have the best QB room in the nation through probably 2028? Maybe longer depending on who comes in after Faizon. Sorry about the confusion there. The only question I have regarding our QBs is who tranfers between Jake and Gmac. I think Jake wins that battle long term, and Gmac tranfers. I could certainly be totally wrong though.

 

[NighthawkVol]

Merk and gmac both will play before Brandon. Don’t think any program in the country will have the talent on roster we will have in two years at the position

I’m not convinced of that. Brandon is better than GMac right now. Easily. I could see Merk getting the start in 2026 for a few games until Brandon overtakes him.

 

[RAVOL]

I would never say Merk or Gmac will play ahead Fazion especially Merk time in offense but keeping Fazion from overtaking them eventually don't see it and if it doesn't happen early then we are getting Elite Play from Merk or Gmac so Win Win to have such QB Depth. The 26 Class will be Elite you can see it coming. In CHRIST Alone

 

[MarcoVol]

I would never say Merk or Gmac will play ahead Fazion especially Merk time in offense but keeping Fazion from overtaking them eventually don't see it and if it doesn't happen early then we are getting Elite Play from Merk or Gmac so Win Win to have such QB Depth. The 26 Class will be Elite you can see it coming. In CHRIST Alone

The only thing for certain is whichever decision is made at QB half of VN will talk about how bad of a decision it is

 

[RAVOL]

The only thing for certain is whichever decision is made at QB half of VN will talk about how bad of a decision it is

I'm really surprised many have not applied for jobs certainly they would be hired

 

[butchna]

The only thing for certain is whichever decision is made at QB half of VN will talk about how bad of a decision it is

 

[NighthawkVol]

I would never say Merk or Gmac will play ahead Fazion especially Merk time in offense but keeping Fazion from overtaking them eventually don't see it and if it doesn't happen early then we are getting Elite Play from Merk or Gmac so Win Win to have such QB Depth. The 26 Class will be Elite you can see it coming. In CHRIST Alone

I’ll predict that Merk is the Kelly Bryant to Faizon’s Trevor Lawrence in 2026.

 

[RAVOL]

I’ll predict that Merk is the Kelly Bryant to Faizon’s Trevor Lawrence in 2026.

It's possible no doubt

 

[marcusluvsvols]

Yeah, Merk is gonna be tough to beat IMO. He will always be ahead of Gmac by a whole season in experience, and 2 years ahead of Faizon. Hes got a good arm, and is quite mobile as well. I think Faizon redshirta just like Nico did and then competes for the starting job in 2027 with the winner of the Merk/Gmac battle...

 

[allvolrecruiting]

35 TDs and only 2 picks on 77 percent accuracy plus an undefeated junior season speaks to his ability to process information and make decisions, I think. Most of the games weren't even close and he was on the bench by the second half

Yeah he doesn't really have to do too much. He came up big in the clutch moments in big games tho and that is great to see. He is losing his star RB that ran at an insane clip so he will have to step up this year; it should be fun to see how he does

 

[VolFreakJosh]

This dude is way better than Curtis.

No coincidence Heupel recruited him harder than the in-state player.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

This dude is way better than Curtis.

No coincidence Heupel recruited him harder than the in-state player.

Not according to the almighty @Dobbs 4 Heisman . I think Curtis will be good but I agree. I think Brandon is gonna be truly special here. He may be the kost physically gifted passer we have had in a long time.