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Tennessee's Future With Projected $1 Million Star Quarterback Described in Two Words

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jonathan D Adams | Last updated Feb 15, 2025 12:04 PM ET

The Tennessee Volunteers are trending in the right direction when it comes to landing the program's potential quarterback of the future. Tennessee received a positive update on the team's chances to land the top quarterback in the 2026 college football recruiting class.

For now, all eyes are on Nico Iamaleava to see if the Vols quarterback can take a step forward in 2025. Some Volunteers fans are hoping head coach Josh Heupel opens up the offense for Iamaleava next season.

Heupel already has his eyes on the future with Greensboro, N.C., product Faizon Brandon. The 6-foot-3 quarterback has already committed to Tennessee, but the Vols are looking to fight off other college football programs like the Alabama Crimson Tide and LSU Tigers to sign the star.

Despite other program's interest, On3.com's Steve Wiltfong reported that Faizon is still "locked in" on joining the Vols.

• No. 1 Player in 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣
• #Tennessee Commit
• Navy National Combine MVP @faizon_brandon x @GoVols247 pic.twitter.com/7Cmbl9Wrge
— 247Sports (@247Sports) January 12, 2025

"The nation’s No. 2 quarterback in five-star Faizon Brandon says he’s locked in with Tennessee," Wiltfong wrote on Wednesday.

Although Brandon is committed, nothing is official until the star quarterback officially puts pen to paper on National Signing Day. Tennessee will need to be prepared to pay a premium for the Grimsley High School star signal-caller.

247Sports No. 1 overall player, five-star quarterback, and @Vol_Football commit @faizon_brandon with another strong performance over the weekend at Nike's Next Ones event.

https://t.co/LPgsqq8TSD @AABonNBC @RyanCallahan247 @Andrew_Ivins @wesrucker247 @MikeRoach247 @247Sports pic.twitter.com/Ej3wdWcl9l
— Tom Loy (@TomLoy247) February 13, 2025

On3 projects Brandon's NIL value to be $1 million. The star quarterback already has an NIL deal with 7 UP.

The No. 1 QB in the class of 2026: Faizon Brandon pic.twitter.com/F7O3wyCHV5
— Rivals (@Rivals) February 3, 2025

Brandon is rated as the No. 1 prospect in the entire 2026 college football recruiting class by 247Sports. The star is also the No. 1 ranked quarterback by Rivals.com.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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