What Josh Heupel said about QB Faizon Brandon's first start for Tennessee football

After Tennessee football's season opener victory over Furman, freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon entered Neyland Stadium to be cheered on by his parents in the north end zone. Wide receiver Braylon Staley, standing nearby, praised the five-star freshman recruit, declaring him "the man" in front of the team. UT coach Josh Heupel was also pleased with Brandon's debut, though not entirely surprised by his performance.

"I don't think he did anything that surprised me," Heupel stated post-game. He emphasized that the team should trust Brandon's on-field work to translate into future games. Despite being the youngest player to ever start at quarterback for the Vols, Brandon managed his nerves well during his 56-9 win against Furman. Heupel commended Brandon's decision-making, communication, and creativity, as he completed three touchdowns and two more rushing scores in under three quarters.

Brandon's performance made him the first SEC player to achieve this feat in his first career start since Auburn's Cam Newton in 2010. The Vols will need to be cautious about how Brandon runs, as some of his 10 rushing attempts were aggressive. Heupel expressed no desire to limit Brandon's asset, noting that a quarterback capable of such feats offers unique advantages.

While there is still room for improvement, Heupel was satisfied with how Brandon handled his first game assignment, calling it a good start with much to learn before the next big game.