BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Southeastern Conference office announced Monday that Tennessee freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon was named the SEC Freshman of the Week following his stellar collegiate debut against Furman on Saturday.
The youngest starting quarterback in Tennessee history, Brandon accounted for five touchdowns in the first two-and-a-half quarters of the season opener. He completed 13 of 17 passes for 226 yards and three touchdowns while rushing 10 times for 68 yards and two scores. His five total touchdowns tied a Tennessee freshman record held by Casey Clausen (five touchdown passes vs. Arkansas on Nov. 11, 2000) and Tyler Bray (five touchdown passes vs. Memphis on Nov. 6, 2010).
Brandon fired his first career touchdown pass on a 17-yard completion to Ethan Davis in the first quarter before adding a pair of rushing touchdowns from 6 and 7 yards out in the second quarter. After halftime, the Charlotte, North Carolina, native capped back-to-back scoring drives with 55- and 57-yard touchdown passes to junior wide receiver Mike Matthews to round out his first action with the Volunteers.
Tennessee has totaled 52 SEC weekly honors during the Josh Heupel era (since 2021), including 12 SEC Freshman of the Week awards.
SEC Weekly Awards – Week 1 (Sept. 7, 2026)
Co-Offensive Player of the Week
Sam Leavitt, QB, LSU
Deuce Alexander, WR, Ole Miss
Co-Defensive Player of the Week
Eric Winters, S, Auburn
Rasheem Biles, LB, Texas
Co-Special Teams Player of the Week
Isaiah Sategna III, WR/PR, Oklahoma
Lucas Carneiro, PK, Ole Miss
Offensive Lineman of the Week
Jordan Seaton, OT, LSU
Defensive Lineman of the Week
Jordan Ross, DE, LSU
Freshman of the Week
Faizon Brandon, QB, Tennessee
