Greensboro Grimsley QB Faizon Brandon named NC Gatorade prep football player of the year

Faizon Brandon of Greensboro’s Grimsley High School, the No. 1 player nationally in the junior class is the 2024-25 Gatorade North Carolina football player of the year.

Brandon is also a finalist for the state’s biggest award, Mr. N.C. Football, which will named later this month.

Heading into Friday’s NCHSAA 4A quarterfinal against Hough, Brandon, a 6-foot-4, 202-pound junior, had thrown for 2,159 yards, 27 touchdowns and just one interception. He has completed 76 percent of his passes and rushed for 574 yards and eight touchdowns.

Brandon, who carries a 3.83 GPA, has volunteered locally on behalf of the Under the Bridge Project to support the homeless as well as with the Kiser Middle School Tiger Mentoring Program.

“Faizon Brandon is always in total control of the game,” said Tiesuan Brown, head coach of Mount Tabor High School. “He never sweats the small things, and he’s a great leader on and off the field.”