Tennessee football has a new voice in the quarterback room. Freshman Faizon Brandon says he is ready to take on the challenge of starting for the Vols. He spent his entire summer working hard in Knoxville. Brandon stated to On3 Volunteers that he was at the facility “Almost here from like, we got to get here around 8 to like 5:30 whenever we have dinner, whenever we’re done. I’d say I’m here almost all of the day.”
A Major Shift in Confidence
Brandon knows the job is not easy, but he feels different now. He says he is stronger and faster than when he first arrived. He also notes that he understands the offense much better. He is definitely more confident going into fall camp. This shift matters because the team needs a leader who trusts the system. He spent extra time running through plays alone to make sure he knows every detail.
Learning From the Best
Head coach Josh Heupel has a track record of developing young quarterbacks. Brandon sees this as a huge plus for the program. He credits the staff for helping him grow into a better player. The freshman mentioned that he likes to play ping pong when he has free time in the building. But his main focus remains on the field. He realized the job was open after the team lost another quarterback to an injury. That news made him work even harder. He knows he has to earn the spot every single day.
Splitting Time in High School
Brandon has seen what a quarterback battle looks like before. He shared that his last major competition happened during his freshman year of high school. That year, he did not just take over the team. “We split time. The guy was a senior. We ended up splitting time every game. He’d play a quarter, I’d play a quarter and we’d be back and forth,” he said. This experience taught him how to handle pressure. It also showed him that hard work pays off even when you are not the only one playing.
Brandon grew up watching Cam Newton, a player known for his power and skill. That inspiration seems to be driving his own style of play. He has gained a lot of good weight and muscle since arriving at Tennessee. He feels strong enough to take hits and has a stronger arm too.
The Vols have a chance to be very good this season. If Brandon can keep up this level of effort, the offense could surprise a lot of people. He is not just talking the talk anymore. He has put in the work to back it up. The real test starts when the pads go on for fall camp. Fans will soon see if his summer grind translates to game day success.
