5-Star QB, Tennessee signee Faizon Brandon wins second straight state championship

Faizon Brandon ended his high school football career Friday night by leading his Grimsley High School team to a second straight state championship in a 24-14 win over Clayton High School.

Brandon was Tennessee Football’s first commitment in the class of 2026 and remains the headliner of the group, ranked No. 9 nationally in the Rivals Industry Ranking. He’s the No. 4 quarterback in the class and the No. 1 overall prospect in the state of North Carolina.

The class, which currently includes 28 players, is ranked No. 7 overall and No. 3 in the SEC with an average class score of 92.17. Tennessee’s 2025 class was ranked No. 11 overall and No. 8 in the SEC with an average class scores of 91.92.

Heupel: Faizon Brandon has ‘played an elite level for a long time’

Brandon is one of two five-star prospects in the class, alongside wide receiver Tristen Keys. He’s the No. 11 overall player in the country, the No. 2 wide receiver and the No. 1 player in the state of Mississippi, out of Hattiesburg High School.

Tennessee’s class has 13 four-star prospects in the Rivals Industry Ranking, including four other top-100 prospects in linebacker TJ White, safety Joel Wyatt, offensive tackle Gabriel Osenda and linebacker Brayden Rouse.

“Faizon’s a great player,” Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said during his National Signing Day press conference. “We had an opportunity to watch him on the basketball court, extremely explosive, great touch, had great presence. And bodies in motion, you see that on the football tape, obviously as well.” 

Faizon Brandon led Grimsley to 35-1 record, 31 straight wins

Brandon accounted for two touchdowns and was named MVP in the Class 7A state championship game. He went 35-1, including 31 straight wins to end his career, and accounted for 112 total touchdowns while winning the two state titles.

“He’s played an elite level for a long time,” Heupel said. “His body continued to develop. He’s got a great mind. He’s extremely quick-minded. You combine all those factors, really excited about having him in the quarterback room and competing next fall.”

 Getting Brandon as the first commit — he committed to Tennessee back in August 2024 — helped Heupel and his staff build his highest-ranked recruiting class to date.  

“Anytime you’re able to get a quarterback that’s at that level and is made of the right things,” Heupel said, “he’s able to develop relationships with guys and help attract them. And he certainly did that in this recruiting class, really on both sides of the football.”