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The future of Tennessee football isn’t just talented—it’s vocal, confident, and already representing the Vols in spirit. Five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon, a standout from Grimsley High School in Greensboro, North Carolina, has quickly become more than just the top name in Tennessee’s 2026 recruiting class; he’s become its most passionate advocate.
Brandon committed to the Vols in August 2024, and since then, he’s made it his mission to help build something special on Rocky Top. Whether it’s throwing laser-tight spirals or tweeting “Welcome Home” to fellow elite recruits, Brandon is leading by example—on and off the field.
The numbers back up the hype. As a sophomore, he threw for 3,026 yards, 36 touchdowns, and just three interceptions, showcasing his strong arm, accuracy, and dual-threat mobility that make him a nightmare for defenses. Recruiting rankings only add fuel to the fire: 247Sports ranks him No. 1 overall in its individual rankings and the No. 1 quarterback in the class, while Rivals also lists him as the top signal-caller in the nation.
More than just a stat-sheet stuffer, Brandon is a culture setter. He can often be seen on social media alongside some of the nation’s top prospects, encouraging others as they commit to Tennessee. In an era where quarterback leadership goes beyond the field, Brandon is already showing he’s the kind of program-changer Josh Heupel can build around.
Vol Nation should be thrilled, not just for who Faizon Brandon is now, but for the leader he’s becoming before ever taking a snap in Neyland Stadium.
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One Sooners player who is part of position group that the country is majorly doubting just put everyone on notice
There is no secret that the Oklahoma Sooners kind of missed out on some opportunities this offseason when it comes to adding to their tight end room. That was the one position group that the Sooners should have addressed better. At least, that’s the national and local perception. The Sooners ended up adding a few guys from smaller schools, and, that’s normal, that’s not the big deal. However, some of these guys at these smaller schools didn’t even put up crazy numbers there, so the national perception is, if they didn’t there, you think they will in the SEC? And, I can’t lie, I fell into that category of people that maybe winced a bit when the moves were made. It’s a vital position group, because you use the tight end in so many different ways with so many different personnel groupings. But, the Sooners are confident in who they have at the position. I’m sure they have heard and are still hearing the noise. And that should only make them go harder. That’s exactly what they are doing in fall camp. Sooners tight end room is showing out in fall camp It’s fall camp time, which means the media on-site only get a handful of practices to see what’s going on, and a handful of minutes to see during those practices. And the media that aren’t on site have to take everything with a grain of salt when it comes to the clips that come out. But, man, there is a clip making the rounds that’s pretty impressive, and someone in the tight end room made it. Backup quarterback and 2024 starter Michael Hawkins made an impressive pass where he fed the ball right to tight end Carson Kent. But the catch and ability to hang on to the ball by Kent was amazing. Kent snagged the ball over Reggie Powers, who made a good defensive play, but the catch and strength by Kent was just better. And then, after the play, he let everyone know about it. If those are the kind of plays we are set to see from the tight end room in 2025, then it’s going to be a great year on the offensive side of the ball. But, it’s important to note that this is fall camp. We don’t know exactly what the situation is, as the offense in these situations could be set up to succeed. All we do know is that it was a great play.
Prized transfer portal pickup for Oklahoma Sooners a major standout in fall camp and might have already locked up a starting job
Seattle Mariners Send Right-Handed Reliever Outright to Triple-A Tacoma
SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners added to their minor league bullpen depth by sending a familiar face to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers on Sunday. Mariners right-handed reliever Collin Snider was designated for assignment on July 30 following the club's trade acquisition of left-handed reliever Caleb Ferguson. Snider cleared waivers and he was sent to Tacoma outright. Snider hasn't made an appearance for Seattle in the majors in nearly two months. He was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right flexor strain June 4. He began a rehab assignment with Tacoma on July 5 and made nine appearances with the club. Snider was activated off the injured list the same day he was designated for assignment. Snider posted a 5.47 ERA with the Mariners with 24 strikeouts in 26.1 innings pitched across 24 appearances this year. While with the Rainiers, he had a 5.06 ERA with nine strikeouts in 10.2 innings pitched. Seattle claimed Snider off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks on Feb. 6, 2024, and had a career resurgence with the M's in 2024. Snider had a 1.94 ERA with 47 strikeouts in 41.2 innings pitched across 42 outings with the Mariners last season. Snider will provide Seattle with crucial reliever depth in the minors for the final two months of the season. The Mariners lost right-handed reliever Trent Thornton with a torn left Achilles tendon Thursday. Snider's will join many other Tacoma relievers who have made major league appearances for Seattle this season, including Troy Taylor, Tayler Saucedo, Casey Lawrence, Jesse Hahn, Jhonathan Diaz and others.
Saints quarterback has 'convincing lead' in training camp battle
The New Orleans Saints' three-way quarterback competition is narrowing before the team's first preseason contest against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Per Ross Jackson of Louisiana Sports, second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler has looked the best at training camp this summer, going 83-of-114 passing (72.8 percent) for eight touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns and four interceptions. Rattler is beating out rookie Tyler Shough. The second-round pick has completed just 62 percent of his passes for five touchdowns and three interceptions. 2023 fourth-round pick Jake Haener has completed 69.6 percent of his passes for five touchdowns and one Interception. Jackson believes first-year head coach Kellen Moore is priming Rattler as the favorite to start in Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals. "Over the team’s 10 practices, these three young passers have seen their chance to earn the starting role to begin the season in a rotation of first-team reps," Jackson wrote. "But there are decisions the Saints have made in the process that indicate a favorite. "After looking over individual performance stats, practice rep distribution and the team’s treatment of each quarterback throughout the important and highly-productive scrimmages on camp day 10, it’s become clear that Rattler is comfortably in the lead, for now." Jackson thinks Rattler can fend off his "convincing lead" for the starting job if he plays competently against the Chargers on Sunday. Rattler feels like the safe choice for Moore over Shough and Haener, at least to start the regular season. He appeared in seven games and started in six in 2024. Rattler played inconsistently as a rookie, throwing four touchdowns to five interceptions. However, he's had time to develop. Given his numbers in training camp, Rattler appears to be the most polished quarterback before the regular season. Shough could eventually develop into the Saints' best option, but the rookie's completion percentage against friendly competition at camp is low before he even faces live action in the preseason.
Lakers insider updates LeBron James' immediate future
LeBron James wasn't present at Luka Doncic's contract extension news conference. That doesn't necessarily mean anything, and he's more than entitled to some time off the clock just like everybody else. However, given all that has been said about his future with the Los Angeles Lakers, it didn't take long before people speculated whether there was something else going on. The Athletic's Dan Woike reports that there's nothing to it. "James has not asked for a trade or a contract buyout, team and league sources have said. He’ll turn 41 on Dec. 30," wrote Woike. James' agent and friend, Rich Paul, also made it loud and clear that he hasn't even talked about potentially leaving the Lakers, and while he still doesn't know if he'll re-sign with them or will continue to play beyond this season, that's a bridge they'll cross when they get there. Lakers GM Rob Pelinka also shut down rumors by pointing out that he's been in constant talks with James and his camp. “Yeah, so all the interactions we’ve had with LeBron and his camp, Rich (Paul) in particular, have been positive and supportive. So very professional and Rich has been great,” Pelinka said. “The dialogue with him has been open and constant.” The Lakers are doing the right thing by pivoting towards their younger star. Whether this will be the end of the line for James in Southern California remains to be seen.
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