Taking on the starting quarterback job at a place like Tennessee could be a bit nerve wracking for some. When watching freshman Faizon Brandon speak, he seems like the most unbothered person on the planet. On Thursday, Brandon joined the Mike Keith Show and spoke with ease and a sense of calmness, even though he is embarking on the start of his career Saturday.
On Saturday, Brandon will run through the T for the first time. It’s something he has thought about, and he also realizes that he’s one of the fortunate ones to have that privilege to do so.
“I’m very blessed and grateful, because everybody doesn’t get to run through the T,” Brandon said. “So I’m very excited to do it, and I’m looking forward to running through the T.”
We’ve all heard from coaches and teammates of what makes Brandon special. All of the extra work he’s put in and just having that work ethic to lead by example already as a freshman. What also stood out to me in his conversation with Keith, was his willingness to finish what he’s started. That also goes right in line with being a team first guy.
Last year he could have easily shut down his senior year of high school, after injuring his thumb and having surgery. That took him out the regular season, but he wanted to finish the deal. He explained why.
“I’ll just say, really, my team,” he said. “I love my team so much back home. Grimsley, Coach Brown, I just really wanted to finish playing for him.”
A lot of people would have shut it down, and looked like the big man on campus that is good as gone, but the humble team first Brandon just had to finish. Playing for his coach, team, and winning another high school state championship was that important to him. That says a lot.
“I really wanted to go back to back, so that was the biggest thing too,” Brandon said. “But we did that, and I’m very proud of my team because they did a great job along the way. With me being out, Brody, the other quarterback there, did a great job in the regular season, just keeping the momentum going and allowing me to pick it up in the playoffs. So I really want to thank him too.”
That same mindset is what he carries into Knoxville. Brandon is even thankful for the competition with his fellow quarterbacks. That sounds like a healthy quarterback room.
“I want to thank the other quarterbacks too for competing,” Brandon said. “We’re still competing, making each other better every day. Having a good conversation just elevates the room and makes everybody’s game better.”
Brandon committed well before his junior year of high school, and spent that stretch building the relationships that made walking into the building feel routine instead of overwhelming. He used the word family more than once, and it did not feel like the usual cliché that a lot of people use.
“That’s really the biggest thing I like about here, is how wholesome it is,” Brandon said. “They’re going to push you, coach you hard and give you pointers. It feels like a big family.”
None of it seems to rattle him. The calm is not an act he puts on for the cameras, It is how he leads. He also has the leadership qualities in place. The cool, calm and collected quarterback is one that seems poised to succeed. Also, he isn’t trying to do too much.
“I try not to get too high or too low,” Brandon said. “I feel like that’s what keeps everybody else calm. Even if we’re up big or down or whatever’s going on, I try to stay calm to make sure everybody’s not too high or too low.”
To wrap up my thoughts, Brandon still has to go out and perform in a real game. However, with the amount of maturity and focus he possesses, I don’t worry about him struggling. He seems to have it all straight between the ears, and that is half the battle.
Tennessee opens the season against Furman Saturday at 3:30 p.m. EDT inside Neyland Stadium. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network+/ESPN+, and as always on the Vol Network radio broadcast.
