Tennessee Volunteers' Unprecedented Quarterback Recruiting Streak Sets Them Apart

Josh Heupel and the Tennessee Volunteers football coaching staff are on one of the most impressive recruiting streaks among FBS teams in recent memory.

On Friday, the Vols picked up their first commit to the 2026 class in five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon. Though recruiting sites vary in their rankings, Brandon is regarded as one of the top prospects, ranked as high as the No. 1 overall player by 247Sports.

But Brandon isn't the only top-rated quarterback the Vols have picked up recently. The program is on an absolute heater when it comes to nabbing top quarterback prospects.

Tennessee will have former consensus five-star Nico Iamaleava become the full-time starter this season. Iamaleava has long been considered one of Heupel's top recruits and now the redshirt freshman finally gets his chance to take over in 2024.

Over the next three recruiting cycles, the Vols have secured one four-star and two five-stars: 2024's Jake Merklinger, 2025's George MacIntyre, and now 2026's Brandon. That's two No. 1 quarterbacks (Iamaleava and Brandon), with three of them also ranking in the top 50 recruits in the nation (Iamaleava, MacIntyre, and Brandon) in their respective classes, per On3.

Of course, in the age of NIL and the transfer portal, there's a lot that could happen year to year with these signal callers as to whether they stay true to their commitments. MacIntyre still has until the first signing period in December, while Brandon has until December of next year to sign. Still, it can't go unnoticed the remarkable work that Heupel is doing in luring highly touted prospects to Knoxville.

Excluding Brandon's signing since 2026 commits are just now beginning, from 2023 through 2025, the Vols are tied for having one of the highest-rated quarterback classes during that span in the country, with only fellow SEC member Texas matching them, per RockyTopInsider.

The Longhorns signed Arch Manning last season, then four-star Trey Owens for this year's class, while four-star 2025 class member KJ Lacey committed to Texas in June of last year.

Since Heupel became head coach in 2021, the Vols have had one of the most exciting offenses in all of college football. During the 2022 season, they were ranked No. 1 in the country. If not for a late season injury, Hendon Hooker would likely have been considered a Heisman Trophy candidate that season.

This is truly an unprecedented time in Tennessee football, undoubtedly exciting fans for the future. Luckily, they don't have to wait too long to see what the future will look like now that Iamaleava will take the reins for the 2024 season. In fact, it's because of Iamaleava that the Vols are considered a dark horse team to make the College Football Playoff this season in it's 12-team expansion.