It might be redshirt freshman DeSean Bishop’s first season seeing action on the field, but the running back is already making a name for himself.
The Karns (Tenn.) HIgh School native has found ways to make his presence known on the field, netting 120 rushing yards and two touchdowns on Tennessee’s big win over Kent State earlier this season. Bishop and fellow running back teammate Dylan Sampson are the only SEC players with multiple rushes of 40-plus yards this year. So, what’s it like for a hometown kid to get playing time after spending his first year on the sidelines?
“I like to say I came a long way, especially from not playing at all last year, from having a lot of opportunities to get playing time this year,” Bishop told the media this week. “It’s really a blessing, you know, it all starts on the practice field.
“I’m very intentional. What I do, whether it’s making a plan, reading a play or how to tackle a defender… it all goes back into what I do and what I do to prepare for the games coming on Saturday,” Bishop continued. “So, my preparation is big to my success on Saturdays.”
Coming off of a bye week, as Tennessee just did, gave Bishop more time for the preparation that is so vital to his success on the football field. The best way to get ready for your next opponent during an off week? Pretend it isn’t an off week at all.
“I’d say just not falling asleep,” Bishop said. “Not treating this week like an off week because it definitely wasn’t… just being intentional on my craft, studying and taking extra time to study Kentucky, not take them lightly. So, just mainly just focusing on my craft, really.”
Harnessing that craft includes being ready at a moment’s notice to get called into the game. Bishop has to stay physically and mentally prepared to hit the field at any time. Staying focused isn’t a huge issue for the young Vol.
“I have the mindset of just staying ready,” said Bishop. “It goes back to my preparation throughout the week. I treat it like when I’m going in the game, whether that may be the first… second, third, fourth (quarter) or whatever it may be. So, it’s just preparing myself because you never know when your name is going to get called in. When it does get called, then I’m ready and ready to go.”
In the last three games, the Vol offense has struggled in the first half, unable to score. What has been discussed and worked on to improve the offense at the beginning of the game?
“I say it’s been kind of a big emphasis,” Bishop said. “Because I don’t feel like it’s anything other than doing just us. Kind of like shooting ourselves in the foot, you know? And it goes back to just being small, being crucial in the small stuff and being more intentional on that type of stuff. And I say that’s going to change come Saturday, though, because we’re ready to go.”
Tennessee hosts the 1-5 Kentucky Wildcats at Neyland Stadium on Saturday at 7:45pm. Kentucky comes to Knoxville following a 24-10 loss against Auburn last Saturday. The Vols beat the Wildcats 33-27 in their most recent meeting last season. This could be a prime time for Bishop to showcase those crafts he worked on during the off week and continue to cement his name in Tennessee walk-on lore.
