CERTAINTY: Faizon Brandon Earns Tennessee QB1; Josh Heupel EXPLAINS Over George MacIntyre DECISION

This is the Locked On Podcast Network, celebrating 10 years of your team every day. Hi, this is Isaac Shade, host of Locked On College Basketball and Locked On Tar Heels. Today's episode is brought to you by ADT. Imagine you're watching the game at a buddy's house when you get a call that someone tried to break into yours. In a second, everything can change. That's why there's ADT. ADT security systems help keep your home safe 24-7, with the most company-operated monitoring centers in the industry. The ADT Plus app keeps you in control the whole time. Don't leave your home wide open during an emergency. When every second counts, count on ADT. Visit adt.com or call 1-800-ADT-ASAP. Today's episode is brought to you by the Dell XPS. I'm Wes Goldberg from Locked On NBA Daily and Locked On Heat. So what does it feel like to have a better laptop like the Dell XPS powered by Intel Core with a premium design that's thin and light, it feels smooth. With a responsive touch screen, it feels fast and precise. And with long lasting battery life, it feels like nonstop energy with a laptop that can keep up. Built for those who want better, the Dell XPS, built for you. Josh Heupel kept on saying week one, week one, when talking about Faizon Brandon getting the starting quarterback nod. Don't look too far into that. Faizon Brandon is the guy for the University of Tennessee. You are Locked On Vols, your daily podcast on the Tennessee Volunteers. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. What is up everybody? Welcome into it. Happy Wednesday morning. This is Locked On Vols. I am your host Eric Cain. Today's episode is presented by Kalshi for a limited time. Download the Kalshi app and use promo code Locked On to get $10 when you trade $10. Big shout out to our friends over at Kalshi. One show coming up here today. I did a hit on Locked On SEC after Faizon Brandon was named starting quarterback for Tennessee with Chris Gordy. Going to play that interview here on Locked On Vols. I think it was on yesterday's. So I guess it was Tuesday's Locked On SEC. Going to play that here for you in segment number three. Award Wednesday coming up in segment number two. What does Josh Ward think about Faizon Brandon getting the nod for Tennessee Volunteers? But first here in segment number one, going back to Josh Heupel's press conference on Monday when it was all about the quarterbacks, all about Faizon Brandon, and when he made the announcement that it was going to be Faizon Brandon getting the nod for Tennessee as a true freshman. I had the quarterbacks in this morning, told the team this morning that Faizon had earned the right to be the starter week one. I love what the group has done, how they've competed, grown. I love how they competed and supported each other throughout the course of training camp. You know, Faizon gets the nod week one. The expectation at the quarterback position, just like at every position, as guys continue to grow, work and compete every day and continue to get better throughout the course of the season. Strength of one position group can never be one guy. It's true at quarterback. I know everybody's focuses on the starter, but that group has to continue to grow and expect them to do that here as, you know, we get on the field again tomorrow, but leading up to game one too. Josh Heupel addressing the media after he made Faizon Brandon QB1. And he was very quick to say, hey, but all the quarterbacks got to do this. All the quarterbacks got to do this. And we'll kind of get into what this means for George MacIntyre momentarily. But I did notice in that interview or in that press conference, Josh Heupel was very quick to, yeah, sure, I'm naming Faizon and we'll talk about Faizon, but it's the group, it's the entire group. It's very coach speak like, right? And that, you know, that's fine. I mean, coaches have to do that, right? I mean, that's why we call it Coach Talk. Coach speak, you got to have everybody ready to roll and everybody staying locked in and engaged. Again, more on that here in a moment, but something about that stood out to me, excuse me, John Somerall of Florida also did this same wording and same phrasing when naming Aaron Filo, the Georgia Tech transfer with Buckner Faulkner down there at Florida as a starting quarterback. Kept on saying getting the nod in week one, getting the start in week one, week one, week one. And I'm like, does that mean you're going to re-evaluate and have another starting quarterback week two? Josh Heupel was essentially asked that question about his week one verbiage when talking about Faizon getting the job. Every position is week to week. 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. Again, more coach talk there and here's a spoiler. Listen, Faizon Brandon just doesn't go out there. I mean, you got to see how he plays obviously, but like just like with anybody, if I'm not getting the numbers that this show deserves, if I'm not doing a show that you, the listeners and the viewers deserve to hear and watch and you're tuning away, like I'm going to get replaced as the host of this show. So obviously, Faizon Brandon gets out there if he's not playing the quarterback position well, then he will be replaced. But if he's healthy, he's a starter for a reason, right? I mean, like they're not going to be re-evaluating things in my opinion. So I just think that's another coaching tactic like week one, week one that's just, again, it's like we got to go win the day, right? Like I got to go win this show. I got to go win this episode. You know, it's just kind of one of those things in my opinion. Now, why Faizon Brandon? We've talked all off season and all preseason and we've dissected scrimmages and what we've seen in practice and everything. And I told you what's good about Faizon Brandon, what needs to be worked on for Faizon Brandon. But in the words of Josh Heupel, why Faizon Brandon? Why did he get the nod over George MacIntyre? And well, it wasn't just one thing. I think Heupel actually leads off with it. I don't think there's just one thing. You know, at times people want to, you know, say is there one focal point that changed it. I think in all his control, command of what we're doing offensively, that's in the run game, it's the RPO game, it's the drop-back play action. Combine that with the fundamentals, technique, pocket awareness, you put all those things together, decision-making, taking care of the football, while still allowing his playmakers to make plays down the field. You look at the total volume of work and he's learned the right start. Yeah, that total volume award dates back to spring practice. It goes through the summer months when he put 19.5 pounds of lean mass on his body, when he was in there working, when nobody was around, when nobody thought to be watching. Again, you got to go out there and earn it and take it, but the work he put in off the field, I think Brent Hubbs wrote a story about this earlier in the week, like the work he put in off the field put him in great position to go out there and take it on the field in front of his teammates. And that spring, summer, and certainly in fall camp, and of course, lively arm, footwork, I think, has improved. I think his legs can be a factor, certainly inside the 10-yard line, when the pass rush is pushing him out of the pocket, stuff like that. I think his legs can be a factor, but also the explosive. We talked a lot about that here on the show. I think he can push that football down the field and look good doing it. Obviously, one guy is going to be pumped that he got the job. The other guys in the room are not going to be excited they got the job. The message to George MacIntyre and even Ryan Staub when the news was announced when he told the team and his quarterbacks that hey, Faizon Brandon is going to be the guy. Yeah, I told those guys there's going to be one guy that's extremely excited and there's going to be disappointment on some others. And I've been on both sides of that coin. But as we leave this room, it's important that you take where you're at, you continue to work and compete. You don't know when your number is going to be called. Whether it's week one, week 12, whatever it might be. Unfortunately, I've had to play three in a game before. And we're able to win because those guys were prepared. So that was the challenge that I gave to those guys as well. Hopefully, Tennessee will not have to play three quarterbacks in one game this year. But Josh Heupel did say in the past he's had to do that, and they've won the football game because those guys were prepared and ready to roll. Now, the challenge is, when you're not the guy, to stay locked in. I spoke about this on yesterday's show. I spoke about this on Monday's show that whenever we broke the, or not we, excuse me, whenever the news broke that Faizon Brandon was going to be, I've talked about this several times over the course of the last couple of weeks. Like George MacIntyre, I don't think is going to mail it in. George MacIntyre, I don't think is not going to be locked in. I think he's too competitive of an athlete, and he's a smart guy. He knows, hey, if it doesn't work out here at Tennessee, I need to position myself well to go and get another job, to go and get another opportunity. And so any opportunity he gets in the football games, whether it comes in via injury, helmet pops off, bad play, mop up, do whatever it is, he's got to go out there and ball out and do the best he can for that tape. And, you know, it's a guy that's got to stay locked in throughout the entire way. And Josh Heupel knows the importance of staying locked in. He knows how to look for those keys. And he knows when a backup quarterback is not staying engaged or locked in as well. Guys that are in the building, you let go of the reopening at any point. When you're doing a disservice to yourself, your teammates, friends that you have on the team, but you're setting yourself up for failure on the other side of it too. So be in the present, be here, be now and continue to grow. Ultimately, we're all in a race to become as good as we can, as fast as we can. And it's important that those guys do that. You can tell by body language, engagement, quarterback room, answering questions, dialed into the game plan, all of those things. And those guys get practice reps too. So you're going to see it on the field and you're going to see that product. Josh Heupel on the importance of George MacIntyre to stay ready. And of course, George MacIntyre is going to play a lot of football against Furman for Tennessee because, well, Tennessee is going to be able to just run up and down the field against Furman as it should be. I believe Tennessee is paying Furman a million dollars to come here and take that whooping, right? So it just kind of is what it is. All right, Josh Ward, his thoughts on Tennessee's quarterback competition that is now over. Josh Ward for Ward Wednesdays coming up next right here on Locked On Vols. 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It could be shows at the Tennessee Theater, the Beeshoe Theater, right? On Gay Street, you know, downtown. It can be coming to help ballpark for the Tennessee Smokies, Knoxville Smokies, excuse me. And of course, on campus, Neyland Stadium, Food City Center, Thompson-Boling Arena, Lindsay Nelson and of course, Sherry Parker-Lee. All those events you can find tickets to probably on the Gametime app. Take the guesswork out of buying tickets to every type of event with Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, put in the rating code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Again, create that account, put in the rating code LOCKEDON, L-O-C-K-E-D-O-N for $20 off. Download the Gametime app today. This message is brought to you by Apple Card. Shaved ice by the beach, a trip to the state fair, and a throwback flick at the local drive-in? There's more than just items to check off the summer bucket list. There's also opportunities to earn 2% daily cash back when you use your Apple Card with Apple Pay. Apply for Apple Card now and use in minutes with Apple Pay. Subject to credit approval, Apple Card is issued by Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Salt Lake City Branch. Terms and more at applecard.com. Josh Ward joins us for Ward Wednesday here on Locked On Vols. Josh is the co-host of Josh & Swain on 99.1 D Sports Animal with VFL and Ball Radio Network football analyst Jason Swain. Of course, you can hear Josh & Swain noon to 3 again on 99.1 D Sports Animal and of course on the Sports Monster in the Tri-Cities. Josh, big news of the week. That was Tennessee is named its starting quarterback. Shouldn't come as a massive surprise if you've been following along with Tennessee football camp. But nonetheless, it is rare air, not only for Tennessee, but really in the Southeastern Conference, that a true freshman is going to start the season open or fresh out of high school. In the era of Transfer Portal and 25 year olds playing and getting NFL players coming back and playing college football, this truly is some rare air that Faizon Brandon will begin the season as Tennessee's starting quarterback as an 18 year old true freshman. Yeah, it's rare. Tennessee even tried to find a veteran to come in and start this season and instead of Faizon or George MacIntyre, but we know that that didn't work out. And Faizon has now admitted, hey, I saw that opportunity open up and that caused Faizon to work even harder and to put in the work behind the scenes to be ready when his opportunity came in the spring and in the fall. And I think by the time Josh Heupel was ready to name a quarterback, there was no hesitation. I think Josh Heupel came out of spring thinking, Faizon really showed us something and has a good chance to be our starting quarterback. Let's see if he carries that over to the fall. And he did. So, Faizon Brandon is the starting quarterback. And I understand all the concerns that come with a freshman starting. And maybe that does lower the ceiling a little bit compared to a veteran. But at this point, a veteran was out the window. It was either going to be a young Faizon Brandon or a young George MacIntyre. So, Brandon gives Tennessee a lot to work with with his talent. I'm sure there will be some growing pains. It's not all on him. He has some talented players around him. Some skilled positions have guys like Deshaun Bishop and Mike Matthews and Braylon Salie coming back to go make plays for Faizon Brandon. And if those guys in the offensive line do their job, then this offense can be really good with Faizon Brandon starting as a true freshman. Does the official announcement of Faizon being QB1 change your outlook on Tennessee overall? Record prediction? What this offense can accomplish? I would assume not because with me, I've kind of been operating under the assumption the last couple of weeks that, it's probably going to be Faizon, the true freshman, regardless. It does not change my thought. I went through the summer months thinking Faizon is the likely starter, the quarterback for Tennessee. So it confirms what we had been speculating on or talking about over the last few months, definitely the last few weeks. But I would say what I hear behind the scenes, what I've heard from the two scrimmages and what I've heard about the day to day with Faizon, can strengthen the confidence in his ability to get the job done. But I have as many questions about what happens on the defensive side. How is the defensive line going to play? Can the secondary go make plays? How are they going to use the talented group of linebackers? And does this defense come together? That's as big of a question to me as what Faizon Brandon will do in terms of determining what the season will be for Tennessee. All right. So prior to Faizon Brandon, the last true freshman fresh out of high school to start a season opener for Tennessee was Brent Schaefer in 2004. Of course, he and fellow true freshman guy that you and I work with can't escape the voice there. Eric Ains, they battled it out. And of course, Ains was then on like the third series of that game. It was really they were playing both of them and Ains took over. Yeah, they were co-starters for sure. Yeah, co-starters. It was Schaefer that got the nod first. Before Faizon Brandon makes his debut as a Tennessee quarterback, not to start the season opener, but of course, Niko Iamaljaba is a true freshman, played in the Citrus Bowl. He started that game. Do you remember the next freshman that started a quarterback, albeit just for a game or two or whatever, before Niko Iamaljaba? Uh, was it Harrison Bailey? Harrison Bailey before that? Do you remember? I would guess Brian Mauer. Brian Mauer. And then here's the one that nobody remembers. There's one between Brian Mauer and Josh Stobbs. Do you remember who it was? Will McBride. Gosh, I can't get nothing past you. You're like a computer. I know you don't have a computer, but your mind is like a young machine like Albert Pruhlholtz. Will McBride, do you remember what game that was in 2017? I want to say Missouri, but I could be wrong on that. I'm just going to stop playing this game because it's not fun. Yes, it was Missouri completed 50% of his passes, 139 yards touchdown in 270. Here's one that I don't know the answer to. Do you remember where he transferred out to? That's where you're going to get me. No. Okay. I don't. For some reason, I thought it was Missouri, but maybe I'm making that up. Josh Stobbs had a couple of starts, the final four games in 2013 as a true freshman. Tyler Bray, of course, started six games in 2010. Before Schaeffer and Ange, it was Clawson that started seven games in 2000. And of course, in 1994, you had Peyton Manning and Brandon Stewart that started some games after the injury to the starter there in the season opener. Alan Cockrell as well started some games back in 1981. If you go through and look at the stats and kind of the performances, and I know it's not always as black and white as this, but true freshman stat lines for that year, if it's a pretty decent stat line, they played on a pretty decent team. If the stat line is horrible, those football teams weren't very good, right? Brian Mauer, Harrison Bailey's stat line was pretty good, actually. Brian Mauer's stat line was awful. Willman Bryan's stat line wasn't good. Josh Jobs' stat line wasn't very good. So, I don't know. I mean, again, it's not that black and white, but Faizon Brandon is going to be surrounded by talent. He's going to be playing behind a veteran offensive line. He or George MacIntyre, whoever won the job, if that being Faizon, of course, is going to be set up to be OK. They got to go out there and do it, of course, but they're going to have help. Yeah, I would just be very surprised if Faizon Brandon has a bad season. I don't know if he'll stay healthy. You can't predict injuries, things like that. But Faizon in this offense, I think, is going to succeed. I don't have Hendon Hooker 2022 expectations. There are levels of success. There are different levels of expectations. This is a team with a win total of 7 and 1 half going into the season. Tennessee itself expects to do better than that. Right now, I expect Tennessee to win 8 or more games this season. We'll find out if I'm right there. But with the talent around Faizon Brandon, and with the offense that Josh Heupel runs, there's a reason he said at SEC Football Media Days, I've had seven new starting quarterbacks in nine seasons. In seven out of nine years, we've had a top 10 scoring offense in the country. Josh Heupel went into SEC Media Days confident in himself, in his coaching staff, and in Tennessee's offense to go out there and have success no matter who's playing quarterback. Again, there are different levels of success, but with Faizon's skill set, with the talent around him, and with Josh Heupel and Joey Halsley, their experience together running this offense, I would just be stunned if Faizon really struggles this season. That's why when I see quarterback rankings, we've talked about this over the last few months, and I see Tennessee's quarterback before Faizon was named, or even if he was the projected starter on these lists, and you saw Tennessee at 13 to 16 in a quarterback ranking, I just have a difficult time giving that list credibility based on the history Josh Heupel has. Faizon might be the least experienced quarterback that Josh Heupel has coached, I guess, in a tie with Dylan Gabriel, who also started, not the opener, but after that, as a true freshman at UCF. But Faizon does not rank last in terms of talent. He would rank near the top. So with the talent around him, with this offense, and with Faizon's skill set, I would just be stunned if he doesn't go out there and play at least well. Fall camp is over. Tennessee is now into mock game week. Is this team kind of where you thought it would be at the end of camp? Farther along, not as far along? Any major concerns, any pleasant surprises? I'll kind of leave that open ended. Where are you with Tennessee Football Camp now that it's over? I would say very few surprises. We've heard so many good things about what this linebacker group could be. We spent the off season talking about that. I've heard good things about what the secondary is capable of, like coming out of the scrimmage. They have some plays made at safety even without Idris Farouk, which is a tough loss. They still have some guys with some experience, guys that have made plays, TJ Metcalfe and then Dejan Lane, who's been a part of this defense. But it's still a question mark in the secondary. The depth of the secondary is a question. The defensive line is a question, despite recognizing some of the potential that's there. The offensive line has plenty to feel good about, with a few questions that need to be answered. I've expected to hear really good things about Bray Lynn Staley and Mike Matthews and De'Shawn Bishop, and we have. I would say Josh Heupel talking so confidently about the running back group, that might be a little better than I expected the conversation to be because of the lack of SEC experience behind De'Shawn Bishop. But again, this is part of the Faizon talk. I expect Tennessee to run the football, and if that's the case, that's gonna make things easier on the quarterback. Last thing out the door, man. Things that are still undecided, I guess, right tackle, technically backup running back, but I think three guys are gonna play. Hopefully, it's not as heavy of a rotation early on as it was last year. I think De'Shawn Bishop is your workhorse. I do think there's a place for Duvon Morris, right? You know, all the talks about Jayvon Gordon. But right tackle is probably like, you know, and then I guess Ethan Davis has got to get back on the practice field. Again, it's never been stressed as something long term or a big deal or anything, but you are less than two weeks away now, so it's kind of like, all right, let's see it. Where are you at on right tackle and I guess the tight end position or exiting fall camp? Yeah, when I mentioned questions that still exist with the offensive line, besides David Sanders Jr. proving he can play at a super high level in the SEC, we know that he's the left tackle. Ori Williams at right tackle is a question. Jesse Perry, is he better for Tennessee at right guard or does he need to play tackle again for Tennessee? So that's the question going in. And let's see, let's see when they go to Georgia Tech and for sure when they go up against Texas with what that defense is going to bring against Faizon Brandon in week four in the SEC opener, I was going to get to tight end because that to me is one of the remaining questions. I don't question Ethan Davis' ability to make plays on the field, but I do question how often he's going to be on the field. And to me, it's concerning that he's missed so much time in August. And we'll just see what happens. Desson Brame is a guy that's a big time athlete. Is he going to be a consistent performer for Tennessee at tight end? If so, then that can elevate what this offense can be as well. But tight end is a question. Right tackle is a question on the offensive side. Again, the defensive line, can it get after the quarterback effectively? How many guys will Rodney Garner trust out there? A player like David Hobbs, if we're going to talk about Ethan Davis' health, can David Hobbs be healthy for Tennessee all season long? And we could ask that question maybe about a couple of other guys on the defensive line. But Eric, I brought it up to you at least every other week. David Hobbs, I think is important, but his health is a question. All right, Josh, let everybody know where they can listen and follow you guys along on Josh and Swain. Of course, multiple stations that you guys are playing on. Yeah, Monday through Friday, 12 to 3, leading into Tyler and Kainer, we're on the Sports Animal and also AM640, the Sports Monster in the Tri-Cities area, if you want to check us out there. And you can find Josh and Swain anywhere you get your podcast, just search for it. We'd love for you to follow and subscribe. That's Josh Ward, every week, every Wednesday, right here on Locked On Vols, this is Ward Wednesday. Josh, thanks so much. Thanks, Eric. Great stuff there from Josh Ward, looking forward to you guys here in my conversation with Chris Gordy from Tuesday's Locked On SEC, that's coming up next here on Locked On Vols. Do want to tell you about our friends over at Kalshi. You know, before the season even kicks off, everyone's making predictions, who wins the division, who makes the playoffs, who's lifting the trophy as season's end on Kalshi, America's number one prediction market platform. You can trade those predictions in a live market. Let's take the Tennessee Titans for example right here. Can the Titans win at least seven games, seven plus games, win at least seven games this season? The Titans are currently trading at a 44% probability, meaning a $100 trade would pay out to $210.16 if Tennessee reaches seven wins at least. On Kalshi, you are trading against peers in a live market, meaning there is no house. And as the probability changes, you can buy in and out of your position. 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No messy integrations, no bouncing between tabs and best of all, no spreadsheets. Stop managing software and start managing your business with one unified system. Try for free today at odoo.com/locked on. That's odoo.com/locked on. Faizon Brandon is our buddy, Eric Cain from Locked On Vols. And Eric kind of had an idea this could be coming. I was reading some of the pieces the last few days about when Josh Heupel historically has gone on to name a starter. And typically it's kind of been in this week to next week kind of deal. And so we kind of assumed they'd want to get out of the way, but not really surprised either. I mean, we, every, all the rumblings we heard was just really how impressed people have been with Faizon Brandon. Nothing good to George MacIntyre, but I think we start to realize why this kid at one point was considered the number one quarterback in this class before in recruiting rank, it's kind of changed, but obviously a really special talent. Yeah, super special. I'm really excited to see kind of what he does over the course of his freshman season. Of course, you know, if he stays on the field and all that, you know, that's not a given for anybody, but really excited. I mean, he brings explosiveness. He's got such a lively arm. He's put in so much work in this off season since being on campus with Derek Owens, the new strength coach. He's put on 19 and a half pounds of lean mass and really changed a lot of his mechanics in spring ball, which I think has helped him, you know, use utilizing his lower half, his legs to throw the football down the field. So it's a guy that George MacIntyre was at, obviously working hard to win this job as well, but it's been pretty well documented, Faizon Brandon, it's not gone home really since spring football and you know, whenever Tennessee got a couple of weeks at the beginning of the summer to kind of go and have your last little time away from football until it's like you know, until it's like you can't, Faizon Brandon stayed and you know, continue to work and I'm just really excited to see kind of what this looks like. I'm not expecting it to be an all SEC campaign. I think there's going to be some learning curves along the way, but the dude has got every physical trait and I think his mental makeup is sharp and excited to see what that looks like. Yeah, I'm trying to think if it was Jimmy Hyams or one of those guys wrote that he was, this was, but you go back to the spring, you were hearing he would get there early in the morning, he'd leave late and all those little things that you start to look at and go, okay, he's doing all the right things behind the scenes. That has got to go do it with the X's and O's out on the field, but at least some, some confidence there. And again, like, you know, I brought this up before. Joe Milton was the starter a couple of years ago, guy who sat and waited his turn, but they got Niko Iamaliava in a little bit. And then of course gave him the reins of the bowl game against Iowa. So it seems like Hypal not, not afraid to throw out a young guy out there as long as he understands the offense. Yeah. I mean, he did it at UCF, of course, Dylan Gabriel. Now I recognize Dylan Gabriel is a pretty good football player and you know, his stat line as a true freshman was incredible. I mean, if Faizon just gets a chunk of that in SEC play, I mean, that's, that's a success, but no, he's not afraid to, he'll play anybody, right? He'll play the, the fifth year senior, he'll play the second year guy that's kind of set behind the starter. He'll play a true freshman, a right share of freshmen. And I think Josh Hoppel deserves the benefit of the doubt. Like he's had a lot of success with all different types of quarterbacks, young quarterbacks, old quarterbacks, mobile quarterbacks, statue quarterbacks. And you know, they've consistently been a top 10 offense. So we'll see what he brings out of Faizon. They'll tailor some of the strengths to what Faizon does well. What does Faizon do well? He throws the crap out of football down the field. And we know this Josh Heupel offense, it's not really unlocked or it's not really functioning the way it needs to. If A, you're not running the football, obviously. Or B, you're not able to stretch the defense vertically. And I think Faizon does that. He did that in both scrimmages. Scrimmage number one, not this last Saturday, the Saturday before that. I mean, he connected on three or four deep balls. Another one that I think got called back for like a whole, no, it was a drop. That's right. It was a drop. You know, the short intermediate, I think might be a work in progress. But I mean, throwing the football down the field is going to be a strength for him. Also, he has, he's mobile, right? I mean, is he going to be a Michael Vick or something like that? No, but he's a guy that as young quarterbacks maybe tend to do, like whenever you just feel pressure, he's going to take off and go and he'll get first down. So he'll get big chunk plays with his legs. And as he learns to move in the pocket and trust his protection a little bit more, he'll be selective on when to go. So I think his legs are going to be a factor there. I mean, again, going back to what you said earlier, this is no surprise based on the trajectory and the build up he's been doing since spring ball. All the talk was him in the summer, but he still had to go out there and earn it and take it. And he went out there and took it. In two scrimmages, he was clearly the better quarterback. And again, excited to see what that looks like. What I find so interesting is how the schedule sets up. Obviously you get a cupcake against Furman week one. A pretty tough test going on the road to Georgia Tech in week two to really kind of, and I compared this to Keelan Russell having to go to Kentucky in week two. It's kind of a good, dip your toe in the water to see how good you are. It's a game. Tennessee is going to be expected to still win, but it's a nice little early season test. Then you get Kennesaw State and then it's back to back Texas and Auburn and get them both at home. But two really aggressive defenses that Will Muschamp is going to blitz the crap out of them. And I think DJ Durkin probably will too. So how do you see him holding up against that pressure when that comes on? And do you like the schedule setting up with three kind of easy, dip your foot in the water, get him acclimated before you get into this rough SEC slight? Well, it's funny, you know, there's some Tennessee fans that are scared to death of that Georgia Tech game. And like there were some Tennessee fans that were scared to death of that NC State game and all that a couple of years ago. And I'm like, guys, come on, Tennessee, young quarterback or not, Tennessee's football team is significantly better from a talent perspective, from an experience perspective, from a production standpoint than anything Georgia Tech can offer down there. Brinky is a good coach. But sure, going on the road, I mean, that's going to be a good test. It's certainly not going to be a gimme. But, you know, there's 102,000 in Neyland. There's going to be 55 at Bobby Dodd. Okay, like it's just different. So again, a good opening act. And I'm excited to see what that looks like in week two. But to your point, like, that's a game that Tennessee better win. Yeah, I mean, it's going to be challenging for sure. And I think something that will help Faizon in the early going, and you're moving out of camp now, so you're not seeing it every day like you have been. But Jim Knowles threw the kitchen sink at those quarterbacks. Joey Halsley was on record, you know, midway through camp saying that like his young quarterbacks, George MacIntyre, Faizon Brandon, kind of getting like a PhD in quarterbacking, right? Like a graduate school in quarterbacking because Jim Knowles is like, hey, I'm not going to hold anything back. Like I'm going to throw the kitchen sink at it because we got to work on this because we're going to have to utilize a lot of this stuff to generate a pass rush. So we've got to rep it. And so it's only going to help Faizon Brandon and George MacIntyre throughout as they continue to grow as quarterbacks. So seeing that day after day after day and 11 on 11 and stuff like that in practice, maybe not as much in the scrimmage. I think they dialed it up a little bit in scrimmage number two and the defense had a lot of success. But I think that's just going to help him. But again, there's going to be learning curves. There's going to be mistakes. He's going to make plays where like, okay, I see why. And then there's going to be plays where it's like, man, can we just fast forward to two or three years down the line? Like, that's just the nature of the beast. But I do think going up against a Jim Knowles defense every day in practice, again, it's been well documented by the offensive coordinator himself, is going to help him kind of accelerate that growth chart a little bit at the quarterback position. Yeah, it's going to be interesting to talk with some Bama folks and talking about that Alabama Tennessee rivalry game in October 17th. I mean, you talk about, it's going to be a real good test to measure on where Keelan Russell and Faizon Brandon both are by the time we get to that game. And who knows? They could both be hitting their stride at that point and we could get a really, really good showdown of a matchup that could be a matchup we see for years to come if both guys live up to the hype. And then when you get to the end of the season, depending on how many games I would assume, if not all, the majority of the season, Jared Curtis for Vanderbilt has been playing. I mean, Jared Curtis and Faizon Brandon won't be freshmen anymore by game 12 of the season. So that'll be cool to see how far both of those guys have come at the end of the regular season too. And correct me if I'm wrong, Tennessee's won the last two times they've gone, or that Alabama's come to Knoxville, right? Yes, that is true. So looking to make it three in a row. We'll see if they can do that. Moment of truth, Eric, give me a comp for Faizon Brandon. For those of us who haven't been out of practice or the spring game, been able to see him, could be a college comp, could be an NFL pro comp. Who would you compare his game to? It's weird. I've covered Faizon Brandon on every show for the longest time, and I don't think I've ever done this easy slam dumb topic, right? I mean, so you brought this on me. I'm like, oh gosh, oh gosh, what am I gonna do? Now, I hope and pray, and I think everybody else hopes and prays as well that he turns out to be a better quarterback than this. But still, this guy I'm about to mention, he's been in the NFL for a long time, so he's had a pretty good career, right, in terms of all things considered. When I look at Geno Smith from a stature standpoint, lively arm, getting the football down the field, six foot three, about 220, 225. Not necessarily a runner, but can move. He's mobile and all that. A pretty smart quarterback, especially, you know, towards the latter of his career, you know, compared to when he was a rookie and all that. I think there's a lot of similarities in stature and build up with Geno Smith and Faizon Brandon. So obviously Geno Smith is not, you know, well, he might be a pro bowler. You and I could be a pro bowler in the National Football League right now. But I kind of thought of Geno Smith and a guy that's had a lot of longevity, but a bigger type quarterback that can do a lot of things. And go look at, you know, even Geno in college, West Virginia, go look at his numbers his last two seasons. I think it was 4,300 yards, 31 touchdown, seven picks his junior year and then a senior year, 4,200 yards, 42 touchdown, six picks. So I mean, I'll take that. Geno in college was a fun watch. That is for sure. Yeah. And that's, and that's what's interesting. It's funny you said that because I asked our guy, Ryan Silvia over there, Rocky Top Insider. And I said, who would you have as a comp? Here's what he said. He said, first off, I think a more athletic Hendon Hooker, like a bigger, more athletic, like maybe that's his upside is an even better Hendon Hooker, which I think is good. But then he said, I've heard Gino Smith and I think Bo Nix is an interesting one as well. You gotta think Bo Nix from Auburn to Oregon, how good he became. So I don't know, those are just some interesting comps. I think it's, I think it's interesting to look at a guy and okay, what is he gonna become? What can he develop into? And I think any one of those, I think a Tennessee fan would take. Oh, absolutely. I mean, yeah, you wouldn't, you wouldn't be Hendon Hooker, Gino Smith when he was at West Virginia, Bo Nix when he finished at Oregon. Yeah. Sign me up for any of that. I mean, if Faizon turns out to be one of those guys, you know, down the line, then Tennessee should be a very, very good football team. Obviously, you know, you just went over the stats for Gino, Bo Nix when he did Oregon and Hendon here in 21 and 22 was phenomenal. So you got to start somewhere. It's just so wild. I mean, when you look at, I know we got to go, but when you look at the the history of the Southeastern Conference and the history of Tennessee, he is said to become only the second true freshman starting quarterback and for the opening game for Tennessee ever. Right. And the first one was Brent Schaefer in 04, and it was actually him and Eric Ainge that were both, and he just got the first series or two, whatever. Ainge took over and Ainge was the quarterback for the next four years. But, you know, and Chris Lowe dropped this stat on social media the other night that Brent Schaefer was the first SEC quarterback ever as a true freshman to start the opener right out of high school, dating back to 73 when eligibility was given to freshmen. So I know there's been more since then, don't get me wrong, but really league wide game one true freshman, there's still not been that many. And I want to say you can probably count them on a hand, maybe a couple more, like this is kind of rare air. And so in the Aero Transfer Portal and getting older and older and older, it's going to be wild to see a young quarterback, true freshmen and Faizon. And again, I think I speak for everybody where, you know, either you're excited to see what he can do, or if opposing fan base excited to see if he will fail. Either way, people are going to be watching. Appreciate Chris Gordy having me on Locked On SEC after the news broke that it's going to be Faizon Brandon being the starting quarterback for the University of Tennessee. I hope you guys enjoyed that conversation. I have with Locked On SEC's Chris Gordy, where you can make that your second listen, your second watch here on this Wednesday morning. Spencer McLaughlin as well. You can go listen to him, Locked On College Football. Go check him out, make that your second listen if you'd like to. Some really, really good stuff as we get set for the college football season. Really enjoying that. On video as well, I'm going to send you the first ever 24-7 YouTube channel on college sports. That's really exciting. So go check out and support the other Locked On shows here today. All right. So, Josh Ward, Chris Gordy here on today's show. Looking forward to breaking things down with Michael Bratton of that SEC podcast and with Cousins Shane. SEC Mike going to join the show tomorrow. So looking forward to that. Going to get his thoughts on Faizon Brandon and he's super high on Faizon Brandon and Tennessee overall entering the 20-26 season. All that and more coming up on tomorrow's Locked On Vols. Appreciate you guys as always until tomorrow. Have a great rest of your Wednesday, everybody. Spencer McLaughlin gets you ready for an exciting season on the gridiron, with discussion on the upcoming season and the ever-changing landscape of college athletics, including conference realignment, the transfer portal, NIL deals, new college football extended playoff and more. Thank you. On YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your team, every day.