A prep quarterback from Greensboro has been acclaimed as the top high school football prospect in the Class of 2026.
247Sports on Wednesday anointed Faizon Brandon of Grimsley High, a rising junior, as its top prospect in the nation. He had been ranked No. 74 by the popular football recruiting media outlet.
Per 247Sports’ director of scouting Andrew Ivins: “Brandon had as good of a sophomore season as anyone in America, and that’s why he comes in as the No. 1 recruit in the initial Top247. He possesses a rare blend of pocket-passer size and dual-threat athleticism to go along with a high-powered arm. The kicker? He doesn’t turn 16 years old until June, making him one of the youngest prospects we have come across in the cycle.”
Per MaxPreps, Brandon completed 191-of-277 passes during the 2023 season for 3,026 yards and 36 touchdowns. He only had three interceptions, averaging 216.1 yards per game and 13.6 yards per completion. He also rushed for 528 yards on 85 carries, finding the end zone nine times.
In his two years on varsity, Brandon has thrown 44 TD passes and accounted for 56 total touchdowns.
Grimsley finished 13-1 last season, 7-0 in conference play. The Whirlies lost to Weddington deep in the state playoffs.
Brandon is listed at 6-4, 175 pounds, according to his 247Sports profile. He posted on his Twitter/X account on April 22 that he has received 21 offers from Division I programs. Earlier this month, he attended Tennessee’s spring game and a spring practice at LSU, per his social media.
East Carolina was the first to offer Brandon, according to 247Sports, after his eighth grade year. Virginia Tech, NC State, North Carolina, Duke, Tennessee, Louisville all jumped in after his freshman season. Schools like TCU, Oregon, Clemson and Ohio State have stepped up their recruiting of Brandon of late, 247Sports reports. Oklahoma, Alabama, Georgia, Penn State, Michigan and Florida State also reportedly are among his top suitors.
Brandon is listed as the No. 1 overall quarterback in the Class of 2026 by On3Recruits. He’s No. 12 nationally by that recruiting service, accounting for all positions.
North Carolina is increasingly becoming a hot-bed for elite level football recruits. Offensive tackle David Sanders, a rising senior from Providence Day School in Charlotte, has been ranked No. 1 nationally in the 2025 class (he’s currently No. 2).
Jordan Young of Monroe High (29th) and Isaiah Campbell of Southern Durham (37th) also are listed in 247Sports’ top 50 national prospects for 2025. Campbell has committed verbally to Clemson.
Reidsville’s Kendre Harrison joins Brandon among 247Sports’ top recruits from the 2026 class. Harrison, a monster tight end (6-7, 243) and basketball standout, is listed sixth nationally. South Garner offensive tackle Ekene Ogboko (13th) and Myers Park edge rusher Rodney Durham (32nd) also are listed in the current top 50 from North Carolina.
