Tennessee Confident in Rising Star DeSean Bishop as Vols Strategize to Replace Departed Dylan Sampson in 2025 Backfield Rebuild
The Tennessee Volunteers are entering a pivotal year under head coach Josh Heupel, and among the most significant shifts within the team is in the running back room. With the departure of dynamic tailback Dylan Sampson to the NFL, a void has emerged in the Volunteers’ offensive scheme — one that DeSean Bishop is poised and ready to fill. The Knoxville native, once a local high school phenom, is preparing for what could be a breakout campaign in the 2025 season.
For Tennessee, replacing a player like Sampson is no small task. He wasn’t just productive — he was electric. His combination of quick cuts, top-end speed, and elusive agility made him one of the most dangerous backs in the SEC. But in the often-unforgiving world of college football, time waits for no one. The Vols have turned the page, and Bishop is ready to write his own chapter.
Bishop, a redshirt sophomore, has steadily gained the trust of the coaching staff. After missing his freshman season due to injury, he returned in 2024 and saw limited but promising action in a crowded backfield. While he didn’t rack up gaudy statistics, Bishop’s few touches revealed the kind of playmaking potential that has the coaching staff — and fanbase — buzzing heading into 2025.
One of the biggest reasons for excitement around Bishop is his vision. Watching him run, it’s clear that his instincts and field awareness are elite. He’s patient, letting blocks develop, and decisive once he sees the lane. This trait makes him an ideal fit for Heupel’s up-tempo spread offense, which emphasizes quick reads and fast execution. He’s not just a fill-in option — Bishop’s skill set makes him a potentially lethal weapon.
Another key factor in Bishop’s anticipated breakout is the system Tennessee runs. Under Heupel, the Vols’ offense moves at a blistering pace, designed to keep defenses off balance and wear them down. It favors backs who can operate in space and exploit mismatches, particularly in the screen and quick-out game. Bishop, known for his versatility in high school, has been working hard this offseason to expand his receiving skills and route running. Those efforts have not gone unnoticed.
“DeSean’s really developed into a complete back,” running backs coach Jerry Mack said during spring practice. “We’ve always known what he could do as a ball carrier, but he’s taken major steps in pass protection and receiving. That’s what will keep him on the field.”
Off the field, Bishop has also embraced his role as a leader in the locker room. With Sampson gone and several underclassmen in the mix, the team has needed someone to step into that leadership void. Bishop, soft-spoken but confident, has been setting the tone in practice, film study, and conditioning workouts. His work ethic has become a blueprint for the younger backs to follow.
“He’s one of the first in, last out kind of guys,” said quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who is entering his own high-stakes season. “DeSean brings energy, but he also brings calm. He’s not trying to be anyone else — he’s focused on being the best version of himself.”
That version of Bishop could turn into something special. Coming out of Karns High School, Bishop was a record-breaking runner, racking up over 6,000 yards during his prep career. He was the 2021 Tennessee Mr. Football winner for Class 5A and drew interest from across the country before ultimately choosing to stay home and represent the orange and white. That decision wasn’t just about football — it was about family, community, and legacy.
Now, with his body fully healthy and his mind sharp from two years of studying under Sampson and Jabari Small, Bishop is ready to go from understudy to star. His development hasn’t been rushed — it’s been methodical. That patience could pay massive dividends for a Tennessee team looking to contend in a loaded SEC.
Of course, Bishop won’t be the only option in the backfield. Tennessee brought in freshman speedster Cam Strong from Texas, and returners like Khalifa Keith and true sophomore Peyton Lewis will also vie for carries. But as of now, Bishop looks to be RB1 — at least to start the season — and the staff has every intention of giving him a real opportunity to shine.
The Vols’ offensive line will play a huge role in whether Bishop and the run game can thrive. With several returning starters and added depth through the transfer portal, the line is expected to be a strength. That stability up front should provide Bishop the support he needs to navigate the SEC gauntlet.
Defensive coordinators will undoubtedly try to test Bishop early — stacking the box, sending linebackers through gaps, daring him to prove he can handle the physicality of an every-down SEC back. But that’s exactly what Bishop wants. He’s been waiting for this chance, sharpening every facet of his game in anticipation.
“I don’t want anything handed to me,” Bishop said in a recent media session. “I know what’s expected, and I’m ready to prove I can carry the load. It’s a blessing to be in this position.”
Tennessee’s schedule will provide an immediate litmus test. Matchups with Oklahoma, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida all loom large. The Vols will need to control the clock and keep their defense fresh — which means a reliable run game is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. Bishop’s success could be the hinge upon which the season swings.
Fans, meanwhile, are eager to see a hometown kid make good. Bishop’s connection to the Knoxville community is deep. During the offseason, he’s been active in local youth camps and charity drives, already embracing the role of hometown hero. His story resonates — the injured freshman who stayed home, put in the work, and is now ready to lead the program he grew up watching.
If Bishop’s breakout season materializes the way many expect, it could mark a new era in Tennessee football. His combination of humility, hunger, and homegrown pride embodies everything the Vols program wants to stand for under Heupel. In a sport so often dominated by transfers and rapid turnover, Bishop represents continuity, culture, and commitment.
So while Dylan Sampson may be gone, Tennessee is not bereft of talent. In fact, they may have the next star waiting in the wings — one who knows every inch of Neyland Stadium and every note of “Rocky Top.” The 2025 season is shaping up to be a turning point, and DeSean Bishop is ready to be at the center of it.
In the ever-evolving SEC landscape, nothing is guaranteed. But one thing seems clear: Bishop isn’t just another name on the depth chart. He’s a leader, a playmaker, and perhaps the next great Tennessee running back. The torch has been passed. Now it’s his time to run with it.
