The Tennessee Volunteers were one of several SEC teams that had a quarterback battle headed into the 2026 season.
The battle in Knoxville was between true freshman Faizon Brandon and redshirt freshman George MacIntyre. After a long offseason of the two competing for the starting job, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel made his decision 12 days before the Vols take the field on Sept. 5.
Faizon Brandon gets the nod
According to college football insider Pete Thamel, it is Brandon that has won the job and will start Week 1 for Tennessee. Brandon went 35-1 as a starter in high school and it was his upside that helped him win the job.
Brandon will be the first true freshman quarterback to start the season opener for the Volunteers since 2004 when Brent Schaeffer started against UNLV.
