Tennessee football quarterback commit Faizon Brandon got his high school senior season started in grand fashion. The game of the week in North Carolina, Brandon’s Grimsley High School was the No. 2 team in the state and facing No. 1 West Charlotte in the Keep Pounding Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
Grimsley and Brandon came away triumphant in the season opener, earning a 28-27 victory in overtime. Brandon scored the go-ahead touchdown on fourth-and-goal at the one-yard line, bulldozing in on quarterback power to take the lead.
After West Charlotte answered with a touchdown in overtime, Grimsley’s defense stopped them on a two-point play to secure the victory in the season opener.
UT Commit Faizon Brandon scores the game winning touchdown in overtime on @ABC45TV #FridayNightRivals@faizon_brandon @Vol_Football @rockytopinsider @GoVols247 @grimsleyfb @gowhirlies pic.twitter.com/UARhPVgWzj
— Sinclair’s High School Sports (@FriNightRivals) August 23, 2025
Brandon earned game MVP honors, throwing for 171 yards and rushing for 67 more in the overtime in according to High School OT.
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The 6-foot-3, 200-pound prospect ranks as a five-star recruit and the No. 7 player in the country according to the 247sports composite rankings. He also ranks as the No. 3 quarterback and the top player in the state of North Carolina in the 2026 class.
247sports own rankings are even higher on Brandon, tabbing him not only as the top quarterback but the top overall player in the country.
Brandon committed to Tennessee last August, choosing Josh Heupel and the Vols over a top group that included Alabama, LSU and NC State. He was the first player to commit to Tennessee in the 2026 cycle. Tennessee’s 2026 recruiting class now contains 23 commitments and ranks No. 11 nationally and No. 6 in the SEC according to the 247sports team rankings.
Grimsley and Brandon return to the field on Friday night when they go on the road to face West Forsyth. The Whirlies are looking to defend their 4A State Championship after going 16-0 a season ago.
