Tennessee landed a historic dedication Saturday when Faizon Brandon, the highest general prospect within the Class of 2026, introduced his dedication to the Volunteers dwell on CBS Sports activities HQ. The five-star quarterback picked Tennessee over Alabama, LSU and NC State to provide the Vols their first-ever pledge from a top-ranked participant within the 247Sports period.

Brandon obtained the No. 1 rating within the preliminary Top247 rankings in April following a standout sophomore season at Grimsley Excessive Faculty in Greensboro, North Carolina. The 6-foot-4 QB led Grimsley to a 13-1 file whereas connecting on 69% of his passes for 3,026 yards with 36 touchdowns and three interceptions. He additionally flashed his mobility with 528 yards speeding and 9 touchdowns.

The younger star boasts what 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins described as “a uncommon mix of pocket-passer measurement and dual-threat athleticism to associate with a high-powered arm.” Although he plans to stay solely with soccer on the subsequent stage, Brandon’s athleticism can also be evident on the hardwood, the place he supplied vital contributions to a Grimsley basketball group that completed 23-6 in 2023-24.

Brandon is Tennessee’s first dedication from the Class of 2026 and a possible anchor for the Volunteers to construct round as they search to cement their spot as one of many nation’s prime offensive applications behind fourth-year coach Josh Heupel’s up-tempo scheme.

Scouting report on Brandon

With a uncommon mixture of passing precision and mobility, Brandon could have the instruments to compete for the beginning job at Tennessee early in his profession. Right here is extra on his sport from Ivins’ scouting report:

Rhythmic as a passer, getting the ball out quick and to his playmakers. Likes to remain on schedule together with his clear footwork and exhibits poise within the face of stress. Correct to the numbers, and has discovered loads of success attacking the intermediate stage, however deep ball placement could be a bit uneven. Efficient on designed runs together with his acceleration and his pure twitch in each the higher and decrease halves is good for run-pass choices. Actually benefited from throwing to a pair of Energy 4 huge receivers in his first yr as a starter, however sport tape exhibits a possible game-breaker on the subsequent stage that is simply beginning to scratch the floor of what he might be, particularly if you issue that he is youthful for the grade.

As Ivins famous, Brandon had a pair of elite receiver abilities at his disposal final season in Terrell Anderson and Alex Taylor, who’re each now school freshmen. Anderson ranked as a four-star prospect and is at NC State, whereas Taylor was a three-star prospect who landed at North Carolina.

However even with out Anderson and Taylor at Grimsley in 2024, Brandon remains to be anticipated to shine as the highest quarterback prospect in his class. Whereas nearly all of the highest prospects within the Class of 2026 are uncommitted, quarterbacks are distinctive because the significance and singularity of the place lead applications to plan years upfront. Brandon is the ninth quarterback among the many prime 12 on the place to commit from the category.

Historical past for Tennessee

Brandon’s dedication continues a robust run of quarterback recruiting for Tennessee beneath Heupel. Redshirt freshman and projected beginning quarterback Nico Iamaleava completed the 2023 recruiting cycle ranked No. 2 general within the Top247 Rankings. True freshman Jake Merklinger was a four-star prospect within the 2024 class, and the Vols even have a pledge from four-star Class of 2025 QB George McIntyre.

Like Iamaleava, operating again Bryce Brown was contemplating the No. 2 prospect (247Sports Composite) in 2009. The Volunteers additionally landed the nation’s No. 3 general prospect within the Class of 2007 when security Eric Berry dedicated. Whereas the Class of 2026 rankings may nonetheless fluctuate over the following 18-plus months, Brandon can be a historic addition if he retains the No. 1 general spot and indicators with the Volunteers.