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USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
DeSean Bishop has 'grown tremendously' in pass protection ahead of 2025 season
Tennessee practiced for a tenth time during fall training camp on Tuesday. Redshirt sophomore DeSean Bishop enters his third season with the Vols in 2025. The 5-foot-10, 208-pound running back appeared in 10 contests during the 2024 campaign. Bishop totaled 455 rushing yards and scored three touchdowns on 74 attempts in 2024. He also recorded one reception for 10 yards in the Vols' season opener against Chattanooga. Following Tuesday's practice, running backs coach De'Rail Sims discussed Bishop's improvement during the offseason. 'I think he's taken a step in terms of leadership, number one,' Sims said. 'He's been a dynamic guy in the room, in terms of holding guys accountable. If somebody is not living up to the standard, he's the first one to get on them, and that's including all factors. 'I think from the pass protection standpoint, he's taken the next step too. From a physicality standpoint, an eye discipline standpoint, he's done a really good job. Running the ball is natural to him, I mean, you're talking about a guy that was highly productive in high school and rushed for a ton of yards, so that came natural. The pass protection piece of it, he's grown tremendously in that and done a really good job this camp.' Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
USA Today
06-08-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Tennessee running backs named to Doak Walker Award watch list
Two Tennessee running backs have been named to the Doak Walker Award preseason watch list. Redshirt sophomore DeSean Bishop and senior transfer Star Thomas were on the list for the award, which is given to the best running back in college football. Tennessee is one of four schools to have multiple players nominated for the award, which is named in honor of All-American running back Doak Walker. Bishop, a graduate of Karns High School (Knoxville, Tennessee), played in nine games last season and finished third in the SEC in yards per carry (6.15). He totaled 455 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 74 attempts. Thomas, a native of Homer, Louisiana, previously played at Coffeyville Community College, Duke and New Mexico State. He has appeared in 40 FBS games with the Blue Devils and Aggies. Thomas has totaled 2,044 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns on 433 attempts. He also recorded 54 career receptions for 504 yards and six touchdowns. More: Tennessee running backs positional breakdown for 2025 football season The PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will name 10 semifinalists in November. The recipient of the award will be determined in December. A winner will be announced Dec. 12 on the Home Depot College Football Awards show. Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
Yahoo
25-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tennessee running backs positional breakdown for 2025 football season
Tennessee will kick off fall training camp July 30 in preparation for its 2025 football season. The Vols will open their fifth campaign under head coach Josh Heupel on Aug. 30 versus Syracuse. The nonconference matchup between Tennessee and the Orange will be contested at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia (noon EDT, ABC). Tennessee enters fall training camp with six running backs on roster: Justin Baker, Hunter Barnes, DeSean Bishop, Peyton Lewis, Daune Morris and Star Thomas. Bishop is in his third season with the Vols in 2025. The 5-foot-10, 208-pound redshirt sophomore appeared in 10 games last season after missing the 2023 campaign due to sustaining an injury in fall training camp. In 2024, he totaled 455 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 74 attempts. Bishop also recorded one reception for 10 yards. More: 2025 Tennessee football projected starting lineup for offense PHOTOS: Tennessee running backs through the years Lewis played in all 13 games for Tennessee as a freshman in 2024. The 6-foot-1, 212-pound sophomore totaled 339 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, four receptions, 14 receiving yards and 151 kick return yards. Lewis was named to the 2024 Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll. Thomas enters his first season at Tennessee as a senior in 2025 after transferring from Duke. The 6-foot, 210-pound running back recorded 871 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 213 attempts in 2024 for the Blue Devils. He also totaled 20 receptions for 153 yards and one touchdown. Thomas emerged as Duke's starting running back during the final 10 contests in the regular season. He transferred to Duke after playing at New Mexico State from 2022-23. Thomas recorded 1,173 rushing yards, nine rushing touchdowns, 34 receptions, 351 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns with the Aggies. He began his collegiate career at Coffeyville Community College in 2021. Thomas appeared in 14 games, including eight starts, totaling 970 rushing yards, 11 rushing touchdowns, eight receptions and 36 receiving yards. 2025 will mark Barnes' fourth season at Tennessee. In three seasons from 2022-24, he recorded 55 rushing yards on 11 attempts in six contests. The 6-foot, 196-pound redshirt junior was named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll in 2023 and 2024. Baker and Morris enter their first season at Tennessee in 2025 as freshmen. Baker committed to Tennessee in Oct. 2023 and went through spring practices in January. The 5-foot-10, 210-pound running back is from Buford High School in Buford, Georgia. At the time of his commitment, he held scholarship offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Colorado, Florida, FAU, Georgia, Kansas State, Liberty, Michigan, Michigan State, North Carolina State, Ole Miss, Penn State, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, UAB, USC and Western Kentucky. The 5-foot-10, 195-pound Morris is from Oakland High School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He enrolled at Tennessee in January and participated in spring practices. Morris was committed to USC and flipped to the Vols in Nov. 2024. More: Tennessee quarterbacks positional breakdown for 2025 football season Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Positional breakdown for 2025 Tennessee running backs
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
How DeSean Bishop bet on himself from Tennessee football walk-on to scholarship
DeSean Bishop was given a Tennessee football scholarship two years after joining the Vols as a walk-on running back and under-recruited Knoxville high school star. He could've accepted a scholarship at mid-major schools when he came out of nearby Karns High as a two-time Mr. Football winner. Instead, he bet on himself and came to UT with no promise of ever receiving a scholarship. Advertisement In January, Bishop got the good news that he was going on scholarship. But he talked candidly about it for the first time on Wednesday. 'It was a little bit of relief, that the hard work had paid off,' Bishop said. 'I'm blessed. A lot of kids in Knoxville would love to have the opportunity that I have. Not a lot of people from my city get this opportunity.' Bishop earned his scholarship by steadily climbing the depth chart over the past two seasons. Now he's competing with Peyton Lewis and Duke transfer Star Thomas for a starting job in the 2025 season. 'I ain't gonna lie. I can't even say that I did (expect to be competing to start as a redshirt sophomore),' Bishop said. 'That was especially (true) because of being hurt (in 2023 and 2024) and you've got a lot of good guys in front of you – guys with more stars (in recruit ratings) and stuff like that. Advertisement 'But I just trusted in God, and it deepened my faith. If he didn't think I could handle what's ahead of me this year, then he wouldn't have put me in it.' DeSean Bishop pushed higher-rated backs into transfer portal Bishop took a redshirt in 2023 after suffering a preseason injury. In 2024, he outplayed scholarship players with higher recruit ratings to earn the backup spot behind Dylan Sampson, the SEC Offensive Player of the Year. Bishop rushed for 455 yards and three TDs, missing three games due to injury. And Lewis rushed for 339 yards and three TDs. Their ascension, in part, pushed running backs Cam Seldon and Khalifa Keith into the transfer portal. Advertisement With UT's Orange and White Spring Game on Saturday, it appears Bishop and Lewis are the co-starters at running back. Thomas is in the mix after transferring to UT in January and learning the finer points of the playbook in spring practice. Bishop earned his scholarship, but he intends to keep his underdog edge. 'I know there's an opportunity to be that guy,' Bishop said. 'I feel like I'm embracing that. I feel like I've worked to deserve that spot, but I'm not going to get complacent. I'm living in the moment, and I know I'll reap the benefits when the season comes around.' Running backs coach De'Rail Sims said Bishop is playing like the record-breaking back he was in high school but still working like a walk-on. Advertisement 'You don't just have that production (in high school) if you're not a really good player,' Sims said. 'He always has that chip on his shoulder. He always has a point to prove. But he carries himself where he's not arrogant. He has confidence, but he's still humble.' Bishop ignored advice, choosing Tennessee over scholarships elsewhere Bishop was committed to Coastal Carolina for his entire 2022 senior season. He hoped for a scholarship offer from a Power Four conference school that never came. Bishop had eye-popping stats. He rushed for 8,347 yards and 102 touchdowns in his career at Karns. That ranked second and third, respectively, in Tennessee high school history. Advertisement But college coaches questioned his skill, speed and long-term potential. He was rated a three-star recruit and the No. 36 player in the state of Tennessee by 247Sports Composite. Two weeks before signing day, he decommitted from Coastal Carolina and ultimately announced he'd enroll at Tennessee as a preferred walk-on. 'I feel like people were trying to persuade me to go to Coastal (Carolina) and stay there,' Bishop said. 'But there was something in me that always thought I was bigger than that, and that's not taking anything away from Coastal. But I've always thought I could play at this level. 'And I feel like I've been doubted ever since I came here. And people are still doubting me, but it doesn't really bother me.' Tennessee running back DeSean Bishop (25) during a game between Tennessee and Chattanooga, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. 'Now it's time to perform' Granted, Tennessee coaches knew Bishop wasn't a typical walk-on. And, presumably, he received some financial assistance for his name, image and likeness from a collective associated with UT athletes. Advertisement But a scholarship changes Bishop's status on the roster, even if he doesn't dwell on it. 'Obviously, it helps financially. Scholarship or not, I've been proving myself every day and I feel like I've got to earn it every day,' Bishop said. 'I keep remembering (as motivation), 'They just now put you on (scholarship).' 'So I've got to keep going. It's the next step. I earned a scholarship, now it's time to perform.' Where Bishop factors into Tennessee backfield in 2025 Last season, Tennessee featured Sampson, who broke the program's single-season rushing record. Bishop and Lewis took turns as Sampson's sidekick, but rarely in the same game. Advertisement However, the backfield may expand from a duo to a trio in the 2025 season. Bishop and Lewis were already in a close competition. Thomas is a veteran running back and an all-purpose producer with more than 2,500 yards from scrimmage and 22 TDs in his Division I college career, which spans from New Mexico State to Duke. DAVID SANDERS: Why 5-star freshman's success matters to Vols, Glen Elarbee Freshman running backs Daune Morris and Justin Baker also debuted in spring practice as early enrollees. That backfield battle will play out in the fall. But Bishop undoubtedly will be in the mix, which is quite a feat for a former walk-on. Advertisement 'I look around, and it's just crazy that I'm here with an opportunity to start for the Tennessee Volunteers (in) my home city,' Bishop said. 'In high school, I never thought of this at all. I never would think that it would turn out this way, so I'm very blessed to be where I'm at now.' Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at Get the latest news and insight on SEC football by subscribing to the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: How DeSean Bishop went from Tennessee football walk-on to scholarship
