Tennessee football returns one of the best running backs in the SEC for the 2026 season. After rushing for more than 1,000 yards a year ago, DeSean Bishop signed a new deal to return to his hometown school.
During the spring slate of practices, Bishop met with the media on Saturday. He was asked about his leadership, the room around him, his goals and more.
Here’s what he said.
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On his goals for this spring
“I’d say the first foremost is glorify God in everything I do on and off the field. Continuing to live what I preach. And just get the most out of this opportunity. I have set myself up to be done after this year and have aspirations to go to the league, as well. So maximizing everything that I’m just doing in my time here.”
On if there’s anything specific he wants to accomplish
“Pass pro is the biggest thing. Just being that three-down back. Me and Coach Sims talk about this a lot, just being that guy that they can’t take off the field in those third-down situations. So just continuing to strive and to improve with that, get better in those type of reps. And just honestly being me at the end of the day. Being me has got me here to this day, evolve every day, having that growth mindset of that. Just never get complacent with myself. So just eager to grow day in and day out.”
On if it was hard to realize he might have to be load managed in the spring
“I mean, I kind of realized that as you get older, they’re going to try to take care of you more, especially getting closer towards the season. And I just kind of just took that as an opportunity to grow off the field, kind of bring guys along. I’m going to need everybody on this team, especially offensive line, my other running backs, the quarterbacks, receivers, everybody. So, it’s just that factor of kind of growing, like being a leader. It’s definitely a blessing, too. Kind of preserving myself right now, but just never taking a day off. I still get my reps, making every rep count with the limited reps I do get.”
On focusing on the future this offseason
“Definitely appreciate from last season. All glory to God for that. That’s not possible without him, but obviously, there’s more that I’m looking to prove this year. There’s a lot of things that I’m trying to accomplish as an individual and as a teammate, so just looking forward to what’s ahead, living in the moment. Obviously, I can’t control the future, but I can control what’s happening now. So grateful for the moments I do have right now and just focusing on one day at a time.”
On mentoring younger backs
“Like I said, man, it’s definitely a blessing. For anyone who has kept up with my story, my journey, man, it’s crazy to see the growth and the process that I’ve just been able to live out. And it’s been a blessing to kind of share what I’ve known, I’ve learned over my time here with the younger guys in the room, too. Not only in the running back room but across the team as we battle a lot of things, mainly a lot of things off the field. It can be tough coming in here dealing with that, and I just try to continue to allow them to focus on being in the moment and being where you are because there’s a lot of young guys that might not be where they want to be at, just not only on the field, but in life. But it’s a journey. You can’t get wrapped up in the outcome. You got to focus on what’s in front of you right now and just living in the process.”
On if running backs need to be better to help young quarterbacks
“Without a doubt. They’re competing hard and we’ve got some days we probably got to take the load off them a little bit. I mean, we accept that and we’re looking forward to pushing them to be better day in and day out. Growing a relationship with GMac and Faizon and continuing to just push them guys to be better day in and day out. And also telling the running backs that we got to be as good as we are, too, especially in pro, protecting those guys that ain’t really being hit a lot. We don’t plan on them getting hit at all. But, just enjoying the day, enjoying the process that we all have together.”
On what he’s seen from Tulane transfer Javin Gordon
“I mean, dude is eager to learn. He’s attacked every day. He’s taught me a lot and a lot of stuff he can do. You know, just accepting the role of like our offense, our tempo. It’s not easy coming in here playing at a high level, especially knowing that you got to play on tempo now. He’s used to probably being in a little slower offense, but man, he’s attacked every day and I’m excited to see what he does, especially being young. Him getting another year under DO and Coach Sims and Heupel, man, he’s going to be a monster.”
On talking to Daune Morris about the competition for play time
“I mean, our coaches address it. Competition makes you better and we’re here to make each other better and you don’t shy away from it. I honestly think you just focus on yourself. I’ve dealt with guys in front of me. I mean, you just got to focus on what you’re doing. If you worry about somebody else, you’re going to be far behind them as it is. But you just got to kind of just put the focus on yourself and God will take care of the rest.”
On what he’s seen from Morris this offseason
“He’s matured a lot, especially off the field. And I’d say the biggest transition nobody really talks about is the off-the-field habits, and I feel like you clean that up on the field stuff, take care of yourself. Daune’s got a bright future ahead of himself. And I love to see the strides he’s continuing to make right now, especially going into offseason. So, I’m going to need him this season, especially. So, I’m just going to stay on him and like I do everybody in the room and just continue to expect the best out of him every day.”
On if he will tell RB coach De’Rail Sims to put him in the game
“I respect Coach Sims’ decision, I respect Heupel’s decision. I feel like if they’re going to want the guy out there that’s on the field that’s going to get the job done, I mean that’s their choice. At the end of the day, obviously, as confident as I am, I’m going to expect me to be on the field. So I mean it just depends on what the Lord has called me to say in that moment, I guess.”
One Response
I think most don’t have high expectations. I saw on prediction for 7 & 5 today. I’m not predicting an absolute as for sure we are 9 & 3 or better. But i am having a good feeling we do better than last year. The prediction had us losing to Bama, LSU, SC TX A&M and TX. With a new strength coach building everyone up better and a good new DC who teaches them to tackle better, I feel at least 9 & 3. Heuple has Bamas number at home last two years. I feel we should beat S CAROLINA. i have a feel with it being a home game and early on schedule, we can upset TX. LSU i give a win. TX A&M i think is home. Who knows. Maybe upset the..As to TX, so many looked at TX and would day who did they play. When Hookers first year, who expected that. He didn’t have sn impresive history. OK,GMAC as i see they call our QB doesn’t have much experience, but neither did GAs qb. I forget his name off hand. Look how good he did his first full year. Who knows. I’m not saying to have high hopes. I am saying don’t be too surprized either. I think LSU is a home game. I don’t expect to win that one, but it sure be nice to shock them.