What DeSean Bishop said about Tennessee getting transfer running back
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NASHVILLE – DeSean Bishop said he’s comfortable facing another backfield competition if Tennessee football adds a running back from the transfer portal.
“I’m all for it if that’s what makes the team better. It’s about the team first,” Bishop said on Dec. 27 at Montgomery Bell Academy, where the Vols are practicing for the Music City Bowl.
“If that’s what they feel like they need to do, then so be it. I’m always going to do my thing. I’m always going to be the hardest worker in the room. I’m not shying away from that.”
Coach Josh Heupel hasn’t said that the Vols will get a running back when the portal opens Jan. 2, but it seems logical.
Bishop was in a three-man rotation in the backfield this season, but his partners will not return in 2026. Peyton Lewis plans to enter the portal. Star Thomas has exhausted his eligibility, so he can’t return unless Diego Pavia’s lawsuit challenging the NCAA eligibility rules involving junior college players is successful.
It’s the same lawsuit that UT quarterback Joey Aguilar hopes can extend his college career. But time is running out with the portal opening soon.
That leaves UT with only three running backs projected for the 2026 roster: Bishop, Daune Morris and Justin Baker.
Bishop’s opinion matters. The former Karns High standout is no longer a walk-on. Despite sharing carries with Thomas and Lewis, Bishop earned All-SEC honors by rushing for 983 yards and 14 TDs in the regular season.
Bishop can become UT’s third straight 1,000-yard rusher when No. 23 Tennessee (8-4) plays Illinois (8-4) in the Music City Bowl on Dec. 30 (5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) at Nissan Stadium.
Jaylen Wright had 1,013 yards in 2023, and Dylan Sampson had a school-record 1,491 yards in 2024.
“When I achieve (1,000 yards), it’s going to be a dream come true,” Bishop said. “I’m not so much focused on that. I want to take care of the game and get the win. But it’s the journey, and getting 1,000 yards would complete the season individually and build toward next season.”
Why Tennessee likely needs to add running back from portal
Morris, a freshman, could slide into the rotation in the Music City Bowl. He has rushed for 133 yards and one TD this season. And Morris’ versatility as a runner and receiver could allow him to assume Thomas’ role next season.
Baker, a freshman, has rushed for 43 yards this season.
“They’re pushing to be better,” Bishop said. “Daune has taken more of the load, especially the last couple of weeks. I’ve pushed him to be better and grow. And Baker hasn’t gotten the carries that he wants. But you’ve got to stay ready because you never know when your time will come, especially this deep into the season.”
Tennessee did not sign a running back after failing to land Savion Hiter, the No. 1 running back in the 2026 class. He signed with Michigan over the Vols.
UT has started each of Heupel’s five seasons with four or five scholarship running backs. It would need to add a transfer to reach those numbers in 2026.
Here’s where Tennessee rushing attack has slipped
Aside from the total number of running backs, UT may need an upgrade at the position.
Bishop had a good season. But the Vols rank 50th in rushing offense (174.8 ypg) and will finish with their lowest rushing yardage total of Heupel’s tenure.
UT has 2,098 yards rushing entering the Music City Bowl. It rushed for 2,593 yards in 2022, its lowest under Heupel. And it rushed for 2,936 yards in 2024, its highest under Heupel.
Granted, the Vols had four new starters on the offensive line this season. But most of them are expected to return in 2026, so there’s an opportunity for improvement.
But Bishop still needs an effective backfield partner to spark the ground attack next season. Morris may be the answer, but a transfer is a viable option.
During Heupel’s tenure, UT has usually utilized duos and trios at running back.
In 2021, UT rotated Wright, Jabari Small and Tiyon Evans. In 2022, it was Wright and Small and an occasional dose of Sampson. In 2023, it was Wright, Sampson and Small. In 2024, Sampson was the bell-cow back with 258 rushing attempts, the fifth-most in school history.
In 2025, Bishop has 163 carries. Thomas and Lewis have 95 and 70 carries, respectively.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing atknoxnews.com/subscribe.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: What DeSean Bishop said about Tennessee getting transfer running back
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