No program recruiting high school quarterbacks better than Josh Heupel and Tennessee

When it comes to pure high school quarterback recruiting, there isn’t a program doing it better over these last four cycles than Tennessee.

The Vols hit on another top target Saturday, securing a pledge from On3’s No. 1 ranked passer in the 2026 cycle in Greensboro (NC) Grimsley’s Faizon Brandon.

The nearly 6-foot-4, 200-pound Brandon chose Tennessee over the likes of Alabama, LSU and Penn State and becomes the first commit for head coach Josh Heupel and his staff in the rising junior cycle. The Vols were on him earlier than everyone and a two-year courtship paid off led by offensive coordinator Joey Halzle.

Above everything, the On3 Industry five-star prospect has the one trait Heupel and company may covet the most.

Competitiveness

It’s the same core attribute that defines the other quarterbacks already in Knoxville or slated to be there soon. This year’s starter Nico Iamaleava was On3’s No. 1 overall prospect in the 2023 class. He bided his time last fall behind Joe Milton and is ready to get in the pilot seat and help take this program back to heights last seen in the late 90s.

The Vols 2025 will also be crucial in where this program goes as well. Currently ranked No. 8 nationally with top five potential, Brentwood (Tenn.) Academy passer and the state’s top overall recruit George MacIntyre is the jewel. Back in January he chose Tennessee over Alabama and LSU. College coaches across the land had him at the top or near the top of their respective lists. Jim Harbaugh was first to offer. 

With MacIntyre and now Brandon in the fold, Heupel has landed his top target at the position in each of these upcoming two cycles. It certainly doesn’t hurt building around quarterbacks of that stature that have the respect of all their peers on the trail. Tennessee should finish in the Top 10 these next two classes.

MacIntyre has taken that lead recruiter role serious. He also lives for Friday nights. He is over 6-foot-6 with a ton of physical potential. An accurate downfield passer who continued to show as a junior he can extend plays, navigate tough pockets, rip it to all levels in racking up first downs and points against strong competition. He is a plus athlete with explosiveness and twitch to his game. As a junior MacIntyre was good on over 67 percent of his passes for 3,229 yards and 25 touchdowns.

More on Brandon’s game

Brandon is raw but uber-talented as well. A fluid athlete with a lot of natural ability, the ball absolutely pops out of his hand.

“His competitive makeup is off the charts,” a source said.

That’s obvious with Brandon looking to join and push a quarterback room that will be very talented when he arrives. As sophomore he completed nearly 70 percent of his throws for 3,026 yards and 36 touchdowns with another 528 yards rushing and nine more scores. He had just three interceptions.

Brandon and MacIntyre will add to a depth chart that also includes one-time four-star recruit Jake Merklinger who chose the Vols in the 2024 class. Georgia tried to make a late run but he stayed true to Tennessee.  The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Merklinger is already impressing internally. A former multi-sport athlete who like MacIntyre played basketball and also played lacrosse, he finished his senior season with 3,028 passing yards, 38 touchdown passes and just two interceptions to go along with 450 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns for Savannah (Ga.) Calvary Day.

Saturday was another big day for the future of Tennessee football. This quarterback room has a chance to be set for many years to come.

Power’s Take

“I think it’s clear that landing elite quarterback target is a priority under Heupel at Tennessee,” On3 Director of Scouting Charles Power said. “I think he’s done an exceptional job stacking the room with a blue-chip quarterback every year.

“Adding Faizon Brandon to that room should continue the impressive run and this is another high-end talent that should set Tennessee up for high-level quarterback play for years to come.

“Given the nature of player movement in modern college football the ability to stack talent at quarterback is paramount now more than ever and Tennessee has put themselves in good position to have just that.”