Grimsley 5-star QB Faizon Brandon ranked as No. 1 overall 2026 prospect by 247
Grimsley High School's rising junior quarterback Faizon Brandon has been ranked as the No. 1 overall prospect in the country by 247Sports. The recruiting service updated its Top 247 rankings on Wednesday with Brandon on top. He is also one of three players that officially received his fifth star from 247.
With Providence Day rising senior offensive tackle David Sanders ranked at No. 2 for the class of 247, North Carolina is now home to a top two high school player in the country in back-to-back graduating classes.
Brandon is listed at 6-foot-4 and 175 pounds. He has an electric, accurate arm and sharply quick legs for his height.
The Grimsley quarterback has as many big offers as you can imagine. Some of the top schools to have offered Brandon are Georgia, Alabama, LSU, Tennessee, Michigan, Penn State, Oklahoma, and Florida State. The in-state regulars are also in on Brandon: NC State, Duke, UNC, East Carolina, and Charlotte.
As of late April, On3's recruiting prediction algorithm has NC State rated as having the top chance to land Brandon of any school at 27.8%. Tennessee is second at 24.3%.
On3 also had Brandon in the 5-star range in its latest 2026 ranking updates at No. 12 in the nation. Rivals is far lower on Brandon at No. 221, but that should change after the pressure that 247Sports and On3 have now put on Rivals.
Brandon made the 2023 HighSchoolOT All-State Football Team after he completed 191 of 277 passing attempts (69.0%) for 3,026 yards (216.1/game), 36 touchdowns, and three interceptions. He also had 85 carries for 528 yards and nine touchdowns. He is one of the most efficient passers returning to play high school football in North Carolina this fall.
Grimsley finished last season with a 13-1 overall record and as the Metro 4A Conference champions. Grimsley fell on the road in the fourth round to eventual 4A state champion Weddington.
