College Football QB Battles Settled: Freshman Faizon Brandon to Lead Tennessee

As the 2026 college football season kicks off this Saturday with Week Zero action, several programs across the country have finally settled their quarterback competitions. Coaches from Tennessee to Oregon State announced their starting signal-callers on Monday, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting opening weekend.

While Alabama locked in Keelon Russell over the weekend, other high-profile quarterback battles at Clemson, West Virginia, Vanderbilt, and Iowa remain undecided, at least publicly. Here's a look at the quarterbacks who have officially earned the starting nod for their respective teams.

Tennessee Tabs True Freshman Faizon Brandon

The Volunteers are putting their faith in true freshman Faizon Brandon, a decision head coach Josh Heupel announced to the team Monday morning before making it official in an afternoon press conference.

Brandon, standing 6-foot-4, edged out sophomore George MacIntyre for the job, clinching the role with a standout performance in Saturday's scrimmage, according to On3. The five-star recruit out of Grimsley High School in Greensboro, North Carolina, was ranked as the No. 3 quarterback nationally and No. 10 player overall by Rivals.

Brandon becomes the first true freshman to start a season opener for Tennessee since Brent Schaeffer in 2004. He'll have plenty of support, as the offense returns eight starters, including 800-yard receivers Braylon Staley and Mike Matthews, plus 1,000-yard rusher DeSean Bishop. The Vols open their season against Furman on Sept. 5.

Florida Names Transfer Aaron Philo as Starter

New Gators head coach Jon Sumrall announced Monday that transfer Aaron Philo will lead Florida's offense. The 6-foot-1 junior arrived in Gainesville from Georgia Tech alongside offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner, and his familiarity with the system, which features numerous pre-snap motions, gave him the edge over sophomore Tramell Jones Jr.

In two seasons with the Yellow Jackets, Philo appeared in eight games, completing 58% of his passes for 938 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. Jones played in two games as a freshman last year, completing 21 of 35 passes for 191 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Florida returns 1,000-yard rusher Jaden Baugh and leading receiver Vernell Brown III (40 catches), while adding transfer receivers Eric Singleton Jr. (534 yards for Auburn) and Micah Mays Jr. (302 yards with Wake Forest). The Gators host Florida Atlantic on Sept. 5.

Arkansas Goes with KJ Jackson

New Razorbacks coach Ryan Silverfield named sophomore KJ Jackson as the starter over transfer AJ Hill. Jackson, in his third year at Fayetteville, played in five games last season with one start, completing 61% of his passes for 441 yards and 3 touchdowns.

“It wasn't an easy decision, but a very confident one we made as a staff,” Silverfield said Sunday. “It wasn't because of lack of talent by the others. It was a great mix of guys competing for that starting role.”

Arkansas opens its season on Sept. 5 against North Alabama.

Northwestern Turns to Aidan Chiles

Transfer Aidan Chiles earned the starting job for new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly at Northwestern. He beat out fellow transfer Nicco Marchiol and sophomore Ryan Boe in the competition.

Chiles played two seasons at Michigan State, following coach Jonathan Smith to East Lansing. He passed for 3,807 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions on a 61% completion rate, while also rushing for 429 yards and nine scores. Marchiol played four seasons at West Virginia, appearing in 23 games.

The Wildcats open with home games against South Dakota State and Colorado before beginning Big Ten play by visiting defending national champion Indiana.

Rutgers Picks Dylan Lonergan

Transfer Dylan Lonergan was named the starter Monday, beating out AJ Surace, who is in his third year with the Scarlet Knights. Head coach Greg Schiano and offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca made the call after the team's final scrimmage on Saturday, according to the Asbury Park Press.

The 6-foot-2 Lonergan began his career at Alabama before transferring to Boston College. Last season with the Eagles as a sophomore, he passed for 2,025 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions while completing 67% of his throws.

Rutgers opens against UMass before facing Boston College in a Week 2 matchup at Chestnut Hill.

Tulane Goes with Zeon Chriss-Gremillion

Transfer Zeon Chriss-Gremillion beat out Kadin Semonza, according to several reports. Chriss-Gremillion played the past few seasons for former Tulane head coach Willie Fritz, completing 62% of his passes for 932 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. He has also rushed for 929 yards in 29 games during his college career, which began at Louisiana.

Semonza is in his second season at Tulane but did not play last year. As a freshman at Ball State, he passed for 2,904 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Both separated themselves from freshman Trace Johnson during practices.

With new head coach Will Hall, the Green Wave begin their season at Duke on Sept. 5.

USF Names Michael Van Buren Jr.

First-year head coach Brian Hartline named transfer Michael Van Buren Jr. the starter over fellow transfer Luke Kromenhoek. The Bulls open their season against FIU on Sept. 5.

The 6-foot junior played at LSU last season, backing up Garrett Nussmeier before starting the final four games for the Tigers. In seven games, he totaled 1,010 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions, while rushing for an additional 129 yards.

Van Buren began his college career at Mississippi State as a four-star recruit, throwing for 1,886 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions as a freshman.

Oregon State Names Braden Atkinson

Atkinson was announced as the Beavers' starter Monday, beating out incumbent Maalik Murphy and transfer Brady Jones. Oregon State has a tough start to the season, visiting Houston and hosting Texas Tech.

Last season at Mercer, Atkinson passed for 3,611 yards, 34 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions while completing 66% of his passes. That performance earned him the Jerry Rice Award as the best freshman in FCS.

Murphy started for Oregon State last year, passing for 1,805 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. That was a decline from his sophomore season at Duke, when he threw for 2,933 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Murphy was limited to 10 games in 2025 because of a hand injury.

Georgia Southern Names Max Johnson

The Eagles' quarterback competition may not have been in the national spotlight, but Max Johnson being named the starter might warrant some attention.

Georgia Southern is Johnson's fourth stop after stints at LSU, Texas A&M, and North Carolina over six seasons. He's thrown for 6,355 yards during his college career with 49 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. As a sophomore at LSU, he passed for 2,814 yards and 27 touchdowns. In 2024 at UNC, he suffered a broken femur in his right leg that eventually required five surgeries.

The Eagles open their fifth season under head coach Clay Helton at home against Charleston Southern before visiting Clemson on Sept. 12.