Former Grimsley QB Named Starter at Tennessee

By Kenyon Gregory

Today, Tennessee named true freshman, Fazion Brandon, their starting quarterback. Brandon a former five-star recruit beat out redshirt freshman George MacIntyre for the starting spot in camp. His upside and athleticism loomed large over the decision making.

Coach Josh Heupel informed his staff and players of the decision early this morning. The former Grimsley QB is the first true freshman to start the season for the Volunteers since Brent Schaeffer in 2004. 

Brandon was ranked the No. 10 overall prospect, the third overall quarterback, and the top prospect in North Carolina in the class of 2026. He was a heralded prospect and a proven winner in high school as he went 35-1 and won two state championships. He officially signed with Tennessee last December after committing to the Vols’ before his junior year in August 2024.

The 2024 North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year, threw for 6,956 yards and 82 touchdowns as a three-year starter for Grimsley High School (Greensboro, NC).

He earned the starting job as a sophomore, leading them to a 13-1 record. Brandon completed 69% of his passes for 3,026 yards and 36 touchdowns, while also running for 528 yards and nine touchdowns.

As a junior, he led the Whirlies to their first unbeaten season and state championship. He passed for 2,814 yards and 35 touchdowns and ran for 625 yards and nine touchdowns.

He faced some adversity his senior year when a hand injury sidelined him for six games. Brandon missed most of the season, but returned late in the year to cap off another unbeaten season and another state championship.

Brandon finished his senior year throwing for 1,116 yards and 11 touchdowns, while running for 233 yards and three touchdowns.

He headlines a 2026 class ranked 11th nationally and was one of three five-star commitments for Tennessee.

The Vols’ are ranked 20th in the AP’s Preseason Poll.

Brandon will lead an offense that will have eight returning starters, including 1,000 yard rusher Desean Bishop, last season’s receptions leader, Braylon Staley, and last season’s breakout player, Mike Matthews.

The six-foot-four, 225-pound quarterback will make his college debut on Sept. 5th at home against Furman at 3:30 p.m. EST on SEC Network+. His first real test will come in Week Two when the Vols’ visit Georgia Tech on Sept. 12th.