Monday, the Southeastern Conference announced for the second consecutive week that Tennessee quarterback Faizon Brandon is the SEC Freshman of the Week. Brandon helped lead the Vols to a 45-24 win at Georgia Tech Saturday night.
Brandon did it in a smart fashion. He threw 10 of 21 for 148 yards and two touchdown passes of 25 and 20 yards. He also rushed for 22 yards on five carries, including a couple of drive-extending runs on third and fourth downs.
The poise and leadership Brandon shows this fast are impressive, to say the least. Tennessee football head coach Josh Heupel spoke about Brandon and what he wants to see this week before SEC play arrives.
“Continued growth and fundamentals,” Heupel said. “That one was an RPO play. Continuing growth and communication, understanding situational football. But I really like a lot of what he’s done. I said it a week ago. I think he’s gonna get better every rep, every series, every game. He’s continuing to grow and catalog information, and he’s getting better from it.”
Running back Daune Morris also spoke on Brandon’s help in the run game.
“Faizon, he’s good with his legs, so being able to run and pull, him being able to get outside or him just being able to run the ball,” Morris said. “Some teams may have to spot him, so it kinda helps us as well, being able to run the ball.”
Progression is a no-brainer, of course, but the fact that coach Heupel has no real complaints and couldn’t pinpoint anything major is a great look for a true freshman quarterback. This Saturday against Kennesaw State will provide Brandon another opportunity to develop before he and the Vols take on No. 1 Texas the following week.
Tennessee and Kennesaw State kicks off at 7:45 p.m. EDT on SEC Network. Dave Neal and Cole Cubelic will be on the call, with Ashley Stroehlein on the sideline.
