(BCSNN) — Tennessee is turning to youth at the most important position. Head coach Josh Heupel opened the Volunteers’ mock game week Monday by naming true freshman Faizon Brandon the starting quarterback for the Sept. 5 season opener against Furman.

Heupel said the decision followed three weeks of preseason camp and two scrimmages, but emphasized that Brandon’s habits and preparation stood out long before fall camp began.

“First of all, the entire group has worked and competed extremely hard,” Heupel said. “But something that sticks out is, we break in May for a few weeks of vacation, and he’s in the building. Whether that’s in the weight room, whether that’s in the video room, walking through things on the turf in our indoor, working on fundamentals. That type of mentality, attitude is a tribute to him and his growth. That’s why he’s continued to grow as fast as he has.”

Brandon, a Greensboro, North Carolina native, arrives with a résumé that suggests he’s accustomed to pressure. He produced a 35–1 record as a starter at Grimsley High School and has won 22 straight games dating back to the start of his junior season in 2024.

He will become Tennessee’s first true freshman quarterback to start a season opener since Brent Schaeffer did so against UNLV on Sept. 5, 2004.

"Every position is week-to-week," said Heupel. "We named him the starter because we believe in the work that he has put in and how he's continued to grow and play throughout training camp and the second week, through the second scrimmage. He's earned that right, but just like every position, you can consistently evaluate."

The Volunteers will continue practicing through the week before shifting fully into game prep mode. Kickoff on Sept. 5 is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET at Neyland Stadium.

Brandon’s debut will come with the usual learning curve of a freshman starter, but Tennessee believes his maturity, work ethic and steady progression give him a chance to grow quickly — and give the Vols a promising foundation at quarterback.