Under Josh Heupel, Tennessee football has consistently had a strong rush attack. Getting the run game established is a key cog in getting his offense rolling, and the conjunction of strong running backs and offensive line play has been extremely successful.
Looking at just the running backs for the upcoming 2026 season, it shapes up to be another solid group, though it’s a bit top-heavy. The Vols return 1,000-yard rusher DeSean Bishop, but the pieces behind him are either new or unproven at the college level.
Heading into fall camp, Athlon Sports’ Steve Lassan joined That SEC Podcast to give his running back room rankings. He placed UT’s group as the No. 6 unit in the conference.
“A lot of this is going to be on DeSean Bishop. Over 1,000 yards last season,” Lassan said. “But no Star Thomas, no Peyton Lewis. The depth is a question. I think Javin Gordon, the Tulane transfer, just over 500 yards last season with the Green Wave, probably a solid No. 2. But there is some question about what Tennessee has behind DeSean Bishop, who is clearly one of the top running backs in the SEC.”
SEC Running Back Unit Rankings by @AthlonSteven
#1 Missouri: “Jamal Roberts is very, very good. Ahmad Hardy is the best running back in college football.”
#2 Georgia: “This is all about depth, this Georgia group is one of the deepest in the country.” pic.twitter.com/MhRE8943kS
— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) June 16, 2026
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Last season, Bishop recorded 182 carries for 1,076 yards and 16 touchdowns. Now, the Knoxville native returns for his redshirt-junior year, in which he’s hoping to make a case to be taken in the following NFL draft. He’s also helping to bring along a young room behind him.
“It’s huge because you look at the production,” Tennessee running backs coach De’Rail Sims said in the spring. “You got a guy that understands what he’s walking into in terms of seeing it week in and week out in terms of the caliber of teams that we’re going against. His understanding of what it’s like when the game’s on the line and having to go out there and make plays in all three facets of the game, in running the ball, the protection piece, and the passing game. So it’s huge having Bish back.”
The second-string role will be a battle between Tulane transfer Javin Gordon and returning sophomore Daune Morris. Gordon took 128 carries for 516 yards and five touchdowns as a freshman last year with the Green Wave. Morris took 35 carries for 133 yards and a score as the Vols’ fourth-string back last year.
Other running backs on the roster include sophomore Justin Baker, redshirt-senior Hunter Barnes and three-star freshman Will Rajecki.
