Faizon Brandon starts at quarterback for Tennessee in season opener

Tennessee will feature freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon in its 2026 season opener against Furman at Neyland Stadium. The game is scheduled for Saturday at 3:30 p.m. EDT. Brandon becomes the 14th true freshman in program history to start a game for the Volunteers. He follows Nico Iamaleava, who started in the 2024 Citrus Bowl. Tennessee program history includes several other notable freshman starters, such as Peyton Manning, Casey Clausen, and Tyler Bray. The program has utilized freshman quarterbacks at various points since 1981, with varying records and statistical outputs.

• 5:01 PMYahoo Sports — Tennessee football freshmen starting quarterbacks all time