Tennessee starts DeSean Bishop Heisman campaign

Tennessee officially launched a Heisman Trophy campaign Tuesday for senior running back DeSean Bishop, whose production through nine games has placed him among the nation’s leading rushers.

Bishop has 1,066 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 196 carries this season. He is averaging 21.7 carries and 118.4 yards per game, ranking 10th nationally in rushing yards and yards per game, fourth in carries per game and tied for seventh in rushing touchdowns.

Tennessee’s campaign emphasizes Bishop’s work against strong competition and late in games. Against teams currently ranked in the Associated Press Top 25, he leads college football with 100 carries, 422 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns.

His second-half totals also lead the country in carries, yards, touchdowns and first downs: 109 attempts, 661 yards, 10 scores and 32 first downs. He holds the national lead in those same fourth-quarter categories with 62 carries, 369 yards, six touchdowns and 18 first downs.

Bishop crossed 1,000 yards for the season by rushing 25 times for 109 yards and two touchdowns in Tennessee’s 34-6 win over Kentucky. After producing 1,076 yards and 16 touchdowns on 182 carries last season, he joined Johnnie Jones as the only Tennessee running backs with consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.

The former walk-on now has 2,597 career rushing yards, ninth in Tennessee history and 481 behind record-holder Travis Henry. Bishop is fewer than 100 yards from passing Jay Graham, Cedric Houston, Jalen Hurd and Jamal Lewis to move into the program’s top five.

Running backs coach De’Rail Sims backed Bishop’s candidacy Tuesday, pointing to his complete body of work, second-half production, leadership and value to Tennessee. Sims said there was “no doubt” Bishop belongs in the Heisman conversation.

Why it matters

Bishop is only the second Tennessee running back to post consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. His late-game production and results against currently ranked opponents supply the statistical case behind Tennessee’s campaign.

What to watch next

Bishop needs fewer than 100 rushing yards to pass four former Vols and move into Tennessee’s career top five.