University of Tennessee Athletics
Brandon Earns Second Consecutive SEC Freshman of the Week Honor
September 14, 2026 | Football
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – For the second straight week to start the 2026 season, Tennessee quarterback Faizon Brandon was tabbed the SEC Freshman of the Week.
Making his first-career road start, Brandon led the Volunteers to a convincing 45-24 win over Georgia Tech on Saturday night in Atlanta.
The Greensboro, North Carolina, native accounted for 170 yards of total offense with two touchdowns and no turnovers in the victory over the Yellow Jackets. Brandon was 10-of-21 through the air for 148 yards and two scores, firing touchdown passes of 25 yards and 20 yards in the first half. He also added 22 yards on the ground, including a couple of key scrambles on third and fourth downs to extend drives.
This week's honor comes on the heels of Brandon earning freshman of the week honors from the league for his Week 1 performance against Furman in which he accounted for five touchdowns (three passing, two rushing) and 294 total yards in just two-and-a-half quarters.
Tennessee has totaled 53 SEC weekly honors during the Josh Heupel era (since 2021), including 13 SEC Freshman of the Week awards.
Arch Manning, QB, Texas
Austin Simmons, QB, Missouri
Co-Defensive Player of the Week
Caleb Woodson, LB, Alabama
Luke Metz, LB, Alabama
Co-Special Teams Player of the Week
Vernell Brown III, WR/PR, Florida
Vicari Swain, PR, South Carolina
Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week
Canon Boone, C, Mississippi State
Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas
Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week
Devan Thompkins, DE, Alabama
Daeden Hopkins, E, Missouri
Freshman of the Week
Faizon Brandon, QB, Tennessee
Making his first-career road start, Brandon led the Volunteers to a convincing 45-24 win over Georgia Tech on Saturday night in Atlanta.
The Greensboro, North Carolina, native accounted for 170 yards of total offense with two touchdowns and no turnovers in the victory over the Yellow Jackets. Brandon was 10-of-21 through the air for 148 yards and two scores, firing touchdown passes of 25 yards and 20 yards in the first half. He also added 22 yards on the ground, including a couple of key scrambles on third and fourth downs to extend drives.
This week's honor comes on the heels of Brandon earning freshman of the week honors from the league for his Week 1 performance against Furman in which he accounted for five touchdowns (three passing, two rushing) and 294 total yards in just two-and-a-half quarters.
Tennessee has totaled 53 SEC weekly honors during the Josh Heupel era (since 2021), including 13 SEC Freshman of the Week awards.
SEC Weekly Awards – Week 1 (Sept. 14, 2026)
Co-Offensive Player of the WeekArch Manning, QB, Texas
Austin Simmons, QB, Missouri
Co-Defensive Player of the Week
Caleb Woodson, LB, Alabama
Luke Metz, LB, Alabama
Co-Special Teams Player of the Week
Vernell Brown III, WR/PR, Florida
Vicari Swain, PR, South Carolina
Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week
Canon Boone, C, Mississippi State
Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas
Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week
Devan Thompkins, DE, Alabama
Daeden Hopkins, E, Missouri
Freshman of the Week
Faizon Brandon, QB, Tennessee
Players Mentioned
QB
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