A.J. Brand is a 6'1", 210-pound wide receiver from Charlotte, NC, who attended Irmo High School in South Carolina as a four-year varsity starter. At Irmo, Brand accumulated 11,889 total yards and 151 total touchdowns across his high school career. As a senior in 2024, he completed 183 of 254 passes for 2,600 yards and 30 touchdowns while recording 183 carries for 2,029 yards and 27 touchdowns, earning 2024 South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year honors. Brand redshirted during the 2025 season at Virginia Tech and is a returning member of the Hokies roster.