Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel is becoming the “QB Recruit” whisper of sorts, having locked down an impressive roster of highly rated arm talent that should—if you’re able to look beyond the NIL-fueled flips of the modern era—create a solid quarterback room well toward the end of the decade.
Heupel further exemplified his recruiting prowess on Saturday after landing the major commitment of Faizon Brandon, the No. 1 QB in the class of 2026, over SEC powers Alabama and LSU.
With Brandon now part of the Vols’ future, here’s a look at the QB room assembled by the former Oklahoma Sooners slinger…
Nico Iamaleava, Warren (Downey, Calif.) — No.2 QB in Class of 2023
(USA TODAY)
Jake Merklinger, Calvary Day School (Savannah, Ga.) — No.13 QB in Class of 2024
(USA TODAY)
George MacIntyre, Brentwood Academy (Tenn.) — No. 69 QB in Class of 2025
(USA TODAY)
It should be noted—and really, headlined—that MacIntyre was rated as a top-10 quarterback until a hand injury forced him to miss camps, creating a tailspin among the recruiting sites.
Faizon Brandon, Grimsley (Greensboro, N.C.) — No. 1 QB in Class of 2026
(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel’s haul
(USA TODAY)
2024 class: Ranked No. 14
2025 class: Ranked No. 7
2026 class: Ranked No. 28 (which should change by Monday)
