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Insider explains how Tennessee landed 5-star QB Faizon Brandon: 'He fell in love with the place'

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Insider explains how Tennessee landed 5-star QB Faizon Brandon: 'He fell in love with the place'


Tennessee Lands 5-star Faizon Brandon And The #1 Qb In The Country Talks Decision

Another cycle, another splash in the world of quarterback recruiting for Tennessee.

A massive push from head coach Josh Heupel, offensive coordinator Joey Halzle and Co. paid off in a major way on Saturday, as Greensboro (N.C.) Grimsley five-star QB Faizon Brandon announced his pledge to the Volunteers.

“I started feeling Tennessee a while ago,” Brandon told On3. “They started recruiting me early, and the first impression they made on me was unlike any other. The staff recruited me hard from the get-go, they kept it steady with me and they pushed so hard to get me. All of that made an impact on why I picked them.”

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On3’s No. 1 gunslinger in the junior class, Brandon becomes the latest win amidst an absurd run of recruiting under center in Knoxville. How did the Vols do it? Tennessee recruiting insider Austin Price points to multiple reasons, dating back to Brandon’s first time on Rocky Top.

“He fell in love with the place and so did his family. His mom told me that she kind of new that first trip to Knoxville, when he camped back in June 2023, she’s like ‘I just felt this place was special.’ Got to know coach Halzle, coach Heupel, coach Militello, just fell in love with it,” Price told On3’s Josh Newberg.

“They kept coming back. They were there multiple times last summer, multiple games last fall, multiple times since the first of the year. Got there at the end of July and told the coaching staff this past weekend that he was headed for Knoxville and they were super stoked.”

Brandon the latest example of Vols’ successful QB recruiting strategy

Brandon’s commitment makes four consecutive cycles that Tennessee has landed a blue-chip QB who ranks as one of the top 15 signal-callers in the On3 Industry Ranking. Point blank, the QB room in Knoxville is likely set for years to come.

“Stacking arms is right,” Price said. “Nico (Iamaleava), to Jake Merklinger, to George MacIntyre, now to Faizon Brandon — who again, just turned 16. There are other quarterbacks in his class that are almost 18. This kid is young and his best football is still ahead of him.”

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“Tennessee has done a nice job of identifying, building relationships and working to get those kids in the boat. It’s been really impressive to see how Joey Halzle has transformed from just a quarterbacks coach to now an offensive coordinator who knows how to develop and recruit quarterbacks as well.”

What is Tennessee getting in Faizon Brandon? According to On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power, Brandon “is one of the more gifted athletes among the top 2026 quarterbacks.” Price echoes just that, comparing the junior to Tennessee’s incoming starter this season.

“Much like Nico, he is a quarterback that can make plays with his feet, but ultimately he’s a thrower. He’s a smart, heady kid, has good velocity on his fastball when he’s throwing it and needs to fit in into a tight window, but also has touch,” Price said. “He kind of does a little bit of everything well.”



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Tennessee

Tennessee Senate passes ‘CVS bill,’ reshapes pharmacy business as CVS threatens closures

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Tennessee Senate passes ‘CVS bill,’ reshapes pharmacy business as CVS threatens closures


A bill moving through the Tennessee Legislature could reshape how pharmacies do business in the state, with CVS warning it could lead to widespread store closures.

The Tennessee Senate has passed legislation that would change the way pharmacies can operate. The proposal has been dubbed “the CVS bill” because it directly impacts the drugstore chain.

Under the bill, drugstores would no longer be allowed to negotiate prices directly with insurance providers or government programs. Instead, a third party would be required to step in.

The bill is now under debate in the House. CVS says the change would force more than 100 of its pharmacies to close across Tennessee, but lawmakers disagree.

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Three NFL Draft Fits for Tennessee Football Cornerback Jermod McCoy

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Three NFL Draft Fits for Tennessee Football Cornerback Jermod McCoy


Tennessee football star Jermod McCoy is the player who will likely hear his name called first from the Tennessee program in the upcoming NFL Draft. There are many teams he would fit well, but these three teams are the teams I believe he is the best fit with at this moment.

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1. Dallas Cowboys

Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tennessee defensive back Jermod McCoy (DB20) speaks to media members during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images | Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

The Dallas Cowboys are in need of a cornerback in the draft class, and they are likely to spend one of their first two picks on one. They are selecting at No. 12 and No. 20 in the draft as of now, and McCoy could hear his name called. He would be joining a decent group of cornerbacks, but he would be an immediate starter, likely alongside a later selection that they make with a cornerback.

It would be shocking if the Cowboys pass on him if they select at 12 and he is still on the board. McCoy would be an immediate starter and would be someone who could shut down a whole side of the field for the Cowboys early in his career.

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2. Miami Dolphins

Tennessee defensive back Jermod McCoy (3) jogs during warm-ups before a NCAA football game between Tennessee Volunteers and New Mexico State Aggies at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Nov. 15, 2025. | Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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The Miami Dolphins is one of the better fits for Jermod McCoy, and it would make the most sense, as the Dolphins could use almost every position after a major haul of their players. They are in a major rebuilding phase and drafting at No. 11 leaves many to believe that McCoy could be in play.

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McCoy would likely be their No. 1 cornerbakc the day he got to the franchise, and would have the chance to dominate the way he did in his one season on the field with the Vols. This selection would depend on who drops out of the first ten selections. If he is one of the better players remaining (highly likely) he very well could hear his name called at pick 11.

3. New York Jets

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Jermod McCoy runs during Tennessee Football Pro Day 2026, at University of Tennessee on March 31, 2026. | Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The New York Jets have the chance to be very good when it comes to the draft, as they are drafting at both No. 2 and No. 16. I believe they will be looking to get a cornerback with their No. 16 pick, which would make a lot of sense considering they had to get rid of Sauce Gardner.

McCoy would be the perfect replacement, as they could find themselves in one of the better situations on the defensive side of the football. He can shutdown a side of the field, and I would bet that he would be a great fit with the Jets because of that exactly.

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Nashville Sounds and Autism Tennessee partner to host inclusive Beyond the Label Day for local children

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Nashville Sounds and Autism Tennessee partner to host inclusive Beyond the Label Day for local children


NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — At a ballpark built for noise, there is space for something quieter.

During the Nashville Sounds’ “Beyond the Label Day,” kids are learning, playing and experiencing baseball in a way that works for them. Autism Tennessee volunteers stepped in to guide kids through sensory play designed to calm and focus.

From spinning toys to textured fidgets, these tools help turn overwhelming moments into manageable ones. Children engaged with the activities, pointing out shapes like a circle, noticing items like candies, and expressing how nice the experience was.

Adam English, general manager of the Nashville Sounds, said making space for everyone is the goal, even as the stadium announcer calls another Sounds strikeout.

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“It’s important for us to raise awareness about autism, but also just make sure that First Horizon Park is an inclusive place for everybody” English said.

The Sounds stadium even has a sensory room for families at every game.

“There’s huge baseball fans that sometimes shy away because of loud crowds and we want to make sure every game out here available” English said.

For Autism Tennessee leaders like Jessica Moore, days like this are about more than awareness. They are about belonging.

“Typically events like this can be super overwhelming… so this is just a way for people to feel like they can come and still be successful” Moore said.

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What are your thoughts on making sports venues more inclusive for all fans? Watch the video to see the sensory room in action, and share your experiences with me at kim.rafferty@NewsChannel5.com.

In this article, we used artificial intelligence to help us convert a video news report originally written by Kim Rafferty. When using this tool, both Kim Rafferty and the NewsChannel 5 editorial team verified all the facts in the article to make sure it is fair and accurate before we published it. We care about your trust in us and where you get your news, and using this tool allows us to convert our news coverage into different formats so we can quickly reach you where you like to consume information. It also lets our journalists spend more time looking into your story ideas, listening to you and digging into the stories that matter.

Checking in on Cole: Gallatin rallies around teen battling brain tumor with prayer vigil

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Austin Pollack brings us an update on a remarkable young man facing great odds, and his family has one simple request: pray for Cole. I believe in the power of prayer and hope you’ll join me in lifting up Cole and his family.

– Carrie Sharp





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