Running back DeSean Bishop had to stay patient for his moment to come for Tennessee football.
He arrived from Karns High School as a walk-on and redshirted his freshman year in 2023 after a preseason injury. It wasn't until 2025, his first season as a starter, that he broke out with over 1,000 rushing yards.
Bishop's readiness for his moment was a result of his preparation, even when he didn't have a chance to show it in games. So when quarterback George MacIntyre entered in the second quarter on Oct. 3 against Auburn after starter Faizon Brandon was benched, Bishop knew MacIntyre would be ready.
"It's easy to get down on yourself. Obviously, he didn't win the job," Bishop said on Oct. 5. "But the guy stayed prepared and stayed hungry and waited
for the opportunity. And when it came, it's no wonder he performed the way he did."
MacIntyre was 8-of-10 passing for 86 yards, helping open up the run game during the No. 14 Vols' 24-14 win over the Tigers.
Bishop's career day included 220 rushing yards and three touchdowns to earn SEC co-Offensive Player of the Week honors.
Bishop's role as a focal point in Tennessee's offense will only be amplified with the quarterback situation uncertain. Coach Josh Heupel was unwilling to commit to either MacIntyre or Brandon as the starter when the Vols (4-1, 1-1 SEC) will play at Arkansas (2-3, 0-2) next on Oct. 10 (4:15 p.m. ET, SEC Network).
No matter who's under center against the Razorbacks, their job will likely include a heavy supply of handoffs.
DeSean Bishop is used to a heavy workload from high school career
Tennessee leaned hard on Bishop against Auburn. He had 34 carries, easily surpassing his previous career high of 24 at Florida last year.
Bishop said he's comfortable with that kind of workload — even used to it from his time as a local high school standout and two-time Mr. Football winner. As a junior in 2021, he had 439 carries, the second-most in a season in TSSAA history.
"It's not really new to me," Bishop said. "... Whatever it takes to get the win, you know, if it's 20, if it's 10, if it's one. I'm going to make the most of every carry I get. I'm just looking forward to seeing how that kind of lingers on the rest of the season."
DeSean Bishop got an unlikely assist on second touchdown vs Auburn
Bishop's second touchdown against Auburn had an unexpected lead blocker: one of the officials.
After Bishop broke a tackle at the line of scrimmage during the third quarter, he turned up field with just one defender ahead. In an attempt to avoid Bishop, the umpire backpedaled out of his way. But he stepped right into Auburn's safety, sending him crashing to the ground to open a clear lane.
DeSean running wild!
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) October 3, 2026
his second TD run of the quarter.
📺 ESPN
📲 https://t.co/w1tqGngeUE pic.twitter.com/hIiF9f3Cmm
Bishop went untouched the rest of the way for a 44-yard touchdown.
"I was like, 'That's a good block,'" Bishop joked. "But you've got to push it all the way to the end zone."
Emmett Siegel covers Tennessee baseball for Knox News. Email: emmett.siegel@knoxnews.com; X: @EmmettSiegel_
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Why DeSean Bishop wasn't surprised George MacIntyre was ready when Tennessee changed QBs
