DeSean Bishop, a standout running back for Tennessee football, has landed a new NIL deal that’ll keep him with the Vols through 2026. This move locks in Bishop as a key player for Tennessee—a team that’s honestly still searching for more depth at running back.
Bishop’s journey from walk-on to star is, well, pretty inspiring. His continued presence on the roster is a big win for the Vols, especially when you look at how quickly things can change in college football these days.
The Rise of DeSean Bishop
Bishop’s climb in college football says a lot about his grit and talent. Even though he was a two-time Mr. Football at Karns High and racked up 8,347 yards and 102 touchdowns, he didn’t get scholarship offers from Power 4 schools right away.
He de-committed from Coastal Carolina and joined Tennessee as a preferred walk-on in 2023. After redshirting his freshman year due to a preseason injury, Bishop wasted no time showing he belonged on the field.
From Walk-On to Star
In 2024, Bishop outperformed scholarship players and earned the backup spot behind Dylan Sampson, who was the SEC Offensive Player of the Year. He missed three games with an injury but still managed 455 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
His impressive play got him a scholarship in January 2025. By the end of the 2025 season, Bishop was an All-SEC performer and a 1,000-yard rusher—pretty wild for a guy who started as a walk-on.
Impact on Tennessee’s Roster
Bishop’s new NIL deal means Tennessee keeps a crucial piece in an era where the transfer portal can flip rosters upside down. The Vols are still looking for more running backs, since the 2026 roster, as of now, only shows three at the position: Bishop, Daune Morris, and Justin Baker.
Bishop’s performance and leadership will matter a lot as Tennessee tries to put together a team that can really compete. It’s hard to overstate just how much stability he brings to the backfield.
Historical Context
Bishop’s 2025 season was a big one—1,076 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns, tying for fourth most in UT history. He also caught 15 passes for 135 yards, adding another layer to his game.
That made him the 21st UT player to rush for 1,000 yards in a season, and the third in a row to do it under coach Josh Heupel. The Vols have seen some strong backs lately, with Dylan Sampson and Jaylen Wright setting the stage in previous years.
Looking Ahead
Bishop’s story isn’t finished, not by a long shot. With his new NIL deal, he’s set to keep leading the Vols’ backfield into the next couple seasons.
His journey is one of those examples of perseverance and talent beating the odds. If Tennessee wants to build something special, Bishop’s going to be right at the heart of it.
DeSean Bishop just landed a new NIL deal, and honestly, it feels like a pretty big moment for Tennessee football.
He started out as a walk-on and somehow became an All-SEC performer. That’s not something you see every day.
Keeping a player like Bishop around? It’s huge for the Vols as they try to build something lasting.
If you want to dig into the details, the full article’s over at Knox News here.
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