Tennessee landed a historic commitment Saturday when Faizon Brandon, the top overall prospect in the Class of 2026, announced his commitment to the Volunteers live on CBS Sports HQ. The five-star quarterback picked Tennessee over Alabama, LSU and NC State to give the Vols their first-ever pledge from a top-ranked player in the 247Sports era.
Brandon received the No. 1 ranking in the initial Top247 rankings in April following a standout sophomore season at Grimsley High School in Greensboro, North Carolina. The 6-foot-4 QB led Grimsley to a 13-1 record while connecting on 69% of his passes for 3,026 yards with 36 touchdowns and three interceptions. He also flashed his mobility with 528 yards rushing and nine touchdowns.
The young star boasts what 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins described as “a rare blend of pocket-passer size and dual-threat athleticism to go along with a high-powered arm.” Though he plans to stick exclusively with football at the next level, Brandon’s athleticism is also evident on the hardwood, where he offered significant contributions to a Grimsley basketball team that finished 23-6 in 2023-24.
Brandon is Tennessee’s first commitment from the Class of 2026 and a potential anchor for the Volunteers to build around as they seek to cement their spot as one of the nation’s top offensive programs behind fourth-year coach Josh Heupel’s up-tempo scheme.
Scouting report on Brandon
With a rare combination of passing precision and mobility, Brandon will have the tools to compete for the starting job at Tennessee early in his career. Here is more on his game from Ivins’ scouting report:
Rhythmic as a passer, getting the ball out fast and to his playmakers. Likes to stay on schedule with his clean footwork and shows…
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