Nico Iamaleava is set to lead the Vols this fall, backed by four-star freshman Jake Merklinger. Additionally, five-star quarterback George MacIntyre from Brentwood, Tennessee, is committed for 2025.
Despite a competitive quarterback room and a clear starter for the next three seasons, top quarterbacks nationwide still consider the Vols. On3 Sports’ Steve Wiltfong predicts that five-star 2026 quarterback Faizon Brandon from Greensboro, North Carolina, will commit to Tennessee.
Brandon, from the same town as Hendon Hooker, who led the Vols to ten wins in 2022, has been influenced by Hooker. Hooker has actively recruited for Tennessee even after moving to the NFL and has maintained a strong relationship with Brandon.
Brandon shared that Hooker advised him to keep working hard and spoke highly of Tennessee’s coaching staff. Hooker’s endorsement and positive feedback from his family have kept Tennessee in Brandon’s consideration.
Wiltfong gives Tennessee an 84.6% chance of landing Brandon, with no other team above 5%. Brandon is ranked as the nation’s 10th overall player, the 2nd-highest quarterback, and the 2nd-highest player in North Carolina, according to On3. Wiltfong predicts Brandon will choose Tennessee over North Carolina State, Florida State, Virginia Tech, Duke, and North Carolina.
247Sports ranks Brandon as the No. 1 quarterback and player nationally. His addition to the 2026 class would significantly boost Tennessee’s recruiting rankings, providing a foundational piece similar to Iamaleava, Merklinger, and MacIntyre in previous classes.
Though 2026 is still far off, Tennessee’s recruiting class, coaching staff, and on-field performance can influence future recruitment efforts.
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