Tennessee’s 2023 recruiting class may not be done just yet.
Knoxville product and three-star running back Desean Bishop announced he will be choosing his college destination on Wednesday at 2 ET.
Bishop will choose between Tennessee and Appalachian State on Wednesday. He told Off The Hook Sports on Monday that he intends to enroll early and be on the practice field as early as January.
The running back was pledged to Coastal Carolina before de-committing earlier this month. Jamey Chadwell’s departure played a big role in Bishop’s change of heart.
“That’s the guy I committed to,” Bishop said about Chadwell. “I’d been committed to them for most of the year, and then they suddenly leave… I did give the other Coastal coach a chance. It’s just not the same bond.”
Bishop was on the road this past weekend, taking an official visit to Appalachian State. The Mountaineers rolled out the red carpet for Bishop.
“I liked Boone, it was a nice college town,” Bishop said. “They have a great football program over there.”
Both Tennessee and App. State have kept in constant contact with Bishop even after he chose Coastal Carolina.
The Vols were Bishop’s first power-five offer, and he has visited campus several times. Being from Knoxville, Bishop understands what a great environment Neyland Stadium can be.
“Their fanbase is just unmatched,” Bishop said of Tennessee. “You got packed out crowds every game, and one of the loudest fanbases in the world.”
Bishop has been a workhorse for Karns High School, leading the Beavers to their first second-round playoff appearance in history his junior season.
During that 2021 season, Bishop finished for 3,179 yards and 34 touchdowns on 441 attempts. In his senior campaign, Bishop went for over 2,000 all-purpose yards in another successful season.
Bishop earned the Mr. Football award in Tennessee’s 5A division for the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
“I strive to be one of the best on the field,” Bishop said on his back-to-back Mr. Football trophies. “But you can’t give all the credit to me. It is definitely a team award. Those guys out there, that front five. I look at it as a team award.”
Tennessee 2023 class currently only has one true running back in three-star prospect Khalifa Keith. Four-star athlete Cameron Seldon could become a running back, but likely projects as a wide receiver.
The 5-foot-10 and 194-pound Bishop could boost Tennessee’s running back room for the 2023 cycle.
With Early Signing Day and Bishop’s announcement looming on Wednesday, Bishop plans to finalize his decision in the coming days. Both the Mountaineers and Volunteers are making final pushes to land the running back.
