Faizon Brandon's commitment to Tennessee continues Josh Heupel's elite run on QBs
Tennessee Football didn’t just get a commitment from a five-star prospect on Saturday, the Vols added yet another elite quarterback to the growing list during the Josh Heupel era with the addition of Faizon Brandon.
Brandon, the elite 2026 prospect who announced his commitment Saturday afternoon, picking the Vols over Alabama, LSU and North Carolina State, makes Heupel four-for-four in adding big-name quarterbacks over the last four recruiting cycles.
Nico Iamaleava was the first back in 2023, the consensus five-star recruit and the No. 1 overall player in his class, followed by Jake Merklinger in 2024 and George MacIntrye, the No. 1 overall in-state prospect in the class of 2025 who committed to the Vols in January.
Here’s a look back at Tennessee’s run on quarterbacks:
2023 — Nico Iamaleava
It all started with Nico. Back in the 2023 class, Iamaleava finished as the No. 1 overall player in the On3 ratings. He was ranked No. 1 among quarterbacks and No. 1 in the state of California, out of Warren High School in Long Beach. He was the No. 6 overall player in the On3 Industry Ranking and the No. 3 quarterback in the class, behind Arch Manning and Dante Moore.
Iamaleava this season, at long last, steps into the starting quarterback position after sitting behind Joe Milton III as a true freshman a year ago. In five games last season, Iamaleava completed 28 of 45 passes for 314 yards and two touchdowns and rushed 20 times for 71 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. He made his first career start in the 35-0 win over Iowa in the Citrus Bowl, accounting for 178 total yards and four total touchdowns.
2024 — Jake Merklinger
Jake Merklinger was ranked No. 201 overall as a four-star prospect in On3 Industry Ranking for the 2024 class. He was the No. 12 quarterback nationally and the No. 23 overall prospect in the state of Georgia, out of Calvary Day School in Savannah. He picked the Vols over offers from Georgia, Florida, Auburn and Michigan State, among others.
He enters his freshman season at Tennessee as likely the No. 3 quarterback on the depth chart, behind Iamaleava and Gaston Moore, the redshirt senior and veteran backup.
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“You feel like you could just roll him in there and he’s going to know how to call the play,” Tennessee offensive coordinator Joey Halzle said on Tuesday, “he’s going put his eyes in the right spot. Is he going to have some growing pains? Absolutely. But he’s a guy that’s definitely got a chance to contribute as a freshman.”
2025 — George MacIntyre
George MacIntyre picked Tennessee in January despite being a Nashville native and Vanderbilt legacy, as the grandson of former Vandy head coach George MacIntyre. The 6-foot-6, 190-pound MacIntyre, who plays at Brentwood Academy, is the No. 50 overall prospect in the 2025 class. He’s the No. 8 quarterback in the country and the No. 1 overall in-state prospect.
“I think from the moment I stepped on campus I had an idea that it was the place for me,” MacIntyre told Volquest when he committed. “Really the last couple of months coach Heupel and his staff have definitely confirmed that. There’s no place I would rather be than Knoxville.”
2026 — Faizon Brandon
Faizon Brandon is not only a five-star prospect, but the No. 10 overall recruit in the On3 Industry Ranking. He’s the No. 2 quarterback in the class and the No. 2 overall player in the state of North Carolina, out of Grimsley High School in Greensboro. The On3 Ratings have Brandon at No. 11 overall and the No. 1 quarterback in 2026, while the 247Sports ratings have Brandon as the No. 1 overall player in the class.
On3 Scouting Report: “Brandon is a 6-foot-3.5, 1900-pounder who accounted for over 3,500 yards and 45 touchdowns as a sophomore. He shows a live arm on film and in the camp setting and is one of the more gifted athletes among the top 2026 quarterbacks. Brandon is also younger for the class, turning 16 years-old in June.”
