Tennessee Volunteers Name Starting QB for Week 1, Why Decision Was Made
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The Tennessee Volunteers starting quarterback competition between true freshman Faizon Brandon and veteran George MacIntyre came down to the final scrimmage. Now, just a few weeks out from the regular-season opener on Sept. 5, Josh Heupel has chosen his quarterback.
As first reported by ESPN‘s Pete Thamel, Brandon will be the Volunteers starting quarterback in Week 1 against Furman at Neyland stadium.
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MacIntyre, a four-star recruit in the 2025 class, entered the spring as the presumptive favorite to replace Joey Aguilar as Tennessee’s starting quarterback in 2026. However, Brandon arrived to campus and made the most of his opportunity to compete for the job.
It became an even competition heading into the summer, with two scrimmages viewed as what would be the determining factor in Heupel’s decision. Following Tennessee’s final scrimmage this past week, in which the true freshman performed the best, the Volunteers coaching staff settled on Brandon as its starting quarterback for Week 1.
Why Faizon Brandon Will Be the Volunteers Starting QB
MacIntyre was originally viewed as the favorite to win the competition because he had a full year in Heupel’s system and limited playing experience (9 pass attempts in two games) at the collegiate level. That also meant he had some rapport with Tennessee’s receivers and some comfort in making protection calls and adjustments pre-snap.
However, despite it being his first year on campus, Brandon reportedly outperformed MacIntyre in the spring and showcased more physical talent. The two quarterbacks performed similarly on the practice field in the summer, but it was the true freshman who stood out the most during the two scrimmages.
“Brandon beat out veteran George MacIntyre for the starting spot in camp. His upside and dynamism loomed large in the decision making. He’s also a winner, as he went 35-1 in high school as a quarterback.”
ESPN’s Pete Thamel on why Faizon Brandon is the Tennessee Volunteers starting QB
Another critical element of the decision is what could not be truly taken advantage of in practice. Brandon, standing at 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, is a vastly better athlete than MacIntyre. That allows Heupel to add much more of an RPO element to his offense, also making it easier for second-team All-SEC running back DeSean Bishop to find running lanes and rip off explosive plays more consistently.
Tennessee’s offense ran the football on 52.53 percent of its plays last season, and that number could increase this fall thanks to Brandon’s dual-threat ability. Pair that with his arm strength and overall upside, and it gave Heupel’s scheme a higher ceiling.
With the Volunteers expected to be an overwhelming favorite in their home opener against Furman, it’s expected that Brandon and MacIntyre will both see playing time in Week 1. The true test for the true freshman will come on Saturday night on Sept. 12, when Tennessee faces the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium on ESPN at 7:00 p.m. ET.
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