Recruiting analyst says the Tennessee Vols are in a tight battle with the Alabama Crimson Tide for key 5-star recruit

A national recruiting analyst says the Tennessee Vols are in a tight recruiting battle with the Alabama Crimson Tide for a key five-star quarterback. 

247Sports' Tom Loy suggested on Wednesday that Tennessee's biggest competition for 2026 five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon is Alabama. 

Loy, in fact, said he nearly changed his prediction this week from Tennessee to Alabama for Brandon. 

"The initial buzz was heavily in favor of the Volunteers," said Loy of Brandon's recruitment. "Brandon had taken a ton of trips to Knoxville and developed a close connection with the staff. However, a recent trip to Tuscaloosa might have moved the needle in favor of the Crimson Tide. To be honest, both sides have optimism at this point. Wednesday morning, I was just about ready to flip my Crystal Ball in the direction of Alabama just a little over a month before he makes his decision, but I'm going to hold off for a little longer. Tennessee is battling and both sides are going to make this an extremely difficult decision on the country's top prospect."