1000-yard Tennessee rusher makes bold CFP declaration
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The Tennessee football team hopes to rise to the top of the SEC this season. At least one player on the Volunteers squad believes the team can reach the College Football Playoff. That is 1,000-yard returning rusher DeSean Bishop.
Bishop thinks his team was ever so close to getting to the CFP in 2025.
“It’s not too much, man. You look back at last year, and we’re maybe one or two plays away from the CFP,” Bishop said, per On3.
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Bishop had a breakout season in 2025 for Tennessee football. He rushed for 1,076 yards on the ground and scored 16 rushing touchdowns. He also logged 182 carries.
Tennessee finished the 2025 season with a 8-5 record. The team lost to Georgia, Alabama, Vanderbilt and Oklahoma in SEC play. The Volunteers also lost to Illinois in the Music City Bowl.
Josh Heupel leads Tennessee into a pivotal season
The Volunteers are led by head coach Josh Heupel. He has coached at Tennessee since 2021. The 2025 season broke a three-year streak where the squad had finished the year ranked in the top 25 nationally.
Tennessee fans hope for the team to not only reach the CFP, but to win in the playoff this coming season. The Volunteers made the CFP under Heupel in 2024, before losing to Ohio State.
Heupel is happy with what he sees from his squad this offseason.
“Good to be back out on the field. We’ve had a really good winter. Some changes in the building – that’s staff and players as well. I think 46 new players here on our roster heading into this season. It’s been a really good winter, and today was the start of what we’re doing on the field during the course of spring ball,” the Tennessee head coach said at the start of spring practice, per 247 Sports.
The Volunteers kick off the 2026 football season with a game against Furman. That contest is scheduled for September 5. Time will tell if Bishop is correct in his prediction.
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