Tennessee · SECDeSean Bishop earns Burlsworth Trophy semifinalist spot
The Tennessee senior has 1,066 rushing yards, 13 touchdowns and five straight 100-yard games before Texas A&M.
NOV 11, 2026
Senior running back DeSean Bishop was named one of 10 semifinalists for the 2026 Burlsworth Trophy.
The award recognizes the top player in college football who started as a walk-on. Bishop became the second Tennessee player to produce 1,000-yard seasons in consecutive years, joining Johnnie Jones. He was also a semifinalist for the award in 2025.
Entering Week 11, Bishop had 1,066 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns in 2026. His rushing scores ranked second in the SEC and were tied for seventh nationally. He had six 100-yard games, including five in a row entering the Texas A&M game, and scored in 12 of 13 games dating to 2025.
Bishop’s remaining games will shape whether he reaches the finalist group and turns a standout Tennessee career into a national award. Finalists are scheduled to be announced Nov. 17, with the winner scheduled for Dec. 7 in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Bishop’s senior season now carries both a Tennessee milestone and a national award case.