Tennessee QB Faizon Brandon lands on preseason watch list for Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award

Tennessee freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon has been named to the preseason watch list for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award, a position-focused award that highlights the top first-year passer in college football. The recognition places Brandon on the list for the ninth annual installment of the program, setting him up as one of the early names to monitor as the season begins.

The watch list is designed to track true freshmen quarterbacks across the country through the season’s early phases, with the award ultimately tied to on-field performance. For Tennessee, the nomination adds preseason visibility to its quarterback depth and underscores the confidence being placed in a rookie report-caller as he starts his first full college campaign.

Brandon’s selection is also a reminder of how quickly freshman quarterbacks can become central figures for major programs. While the watch list does not guarantee production, it typically surfaces players whose roles and development are expected to matter on a weekly basis, either as primary starters or as high-impact rotational options.

For Tennessee fans, the preseason label comes with a clear practical storyline. A freshman quarterback gaining traction can change how a program manages the rest of its offensive plan, including how quickly play-calling expands and how the coaching staff balances risk and timing on key downs.

The award’s naming adds another layer of context. Shaun Alexander is a Hall of Fame running back whose career helped define the importance of decisive play at the skill positions, and the freshman quarterback honor carries that same theme of evaluating who emerges most clearly in their first year.

What to watch next is straightforward: whether Brandon earns meaningful game reps early, how consistently he executes in live situations, and whether his season trajectory keeps him in the conversation long after preseason attention fades. If he performs at a level that matches the expectations implied by the watch list, his name will likely remain prominent as voters narrow focus from the broader preseason group.

Because the information here is limited to the preseason watch-list announcement, it is not yet possible to assess Brandon’s in-season statistical standing, role size, or how Tennessee’s quarterback rotation will ultimately shake out. The award context makes the debut season important, but the results will determine whether the preseason recognition turns into end-of-year hardware.