Why Josh Heupel thinks DeSean Bishop ‘represents everything that’s good in college athletics’

Bishop has recently opened up about nearly being kicked off Tennessee team as a freshman KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Long before DeSean Bishop was one of the nation’s top running backs, he was buried on the Tennessee depth chart as a walk-on ahead of the 2023 season. The Karns alum has recently opened up about nearly being kicked off the Tennessee football team before ever playing a snap.

That conversation changed Bishop’s career and life, becoming not just one of the best running backs in the country, but a role model for those in Knoxville. On Wednesday, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel was asked about Bishop’s growth from that moment into the man he is now. Heupel called Bishop a prime example of what’s right about college football.

“I think it’s the great thing about college football. You come in, the first 18 years of your life are what you’re born into, and you have an opportunity to grow, to learn and to become the man that you may not even know that you want to be, but have the opportunity to be,” Heupel said. “And DeSean’s a great example of that.”

Heupel said Bishop’s turnaround starts with faith, accountability, and work ethic.

Summary of the outlet's own feed. From WVLT (Knoxville), October 28, 2026.