DeSean Bishop Named Doak Walker National Running Back of the Week

DeSean Bishop finally got the national recognition his season has demanded. The Tennessee running back was named the Doak Walker National Running Back of the Week on Tuesday, honoring his performance in the Volunteers' 26-10 win over Alabama.

The honor completed the recognition from Saturday, after teammates Cooper Ranvier and Tyree Weathersby had initially been the only Volunteers singled out for their play against the Tide. Bishop carried the offense in the rivalry game, turning 32 carries into 159 yards and two touchdowns. Tennessee leaned on him throughout the second half, and he powered two long touchdown drives that put the game away, running through contact, moving the chains and protecting the football.

The award carries a layer of irony. Bishop was left off the Doak Walker Award's preseason watch list despite earning second-team All-SEC honors last year. His production has made that omission impossible to defend: through seven games he has 139 carries for 837 yards and 10 touchdowns, including a 220-yard, three-touchdown outing against Auburn two weeks earlier that was Tennessee's first 200-yard rushing performance since 2019.

Tennessee has clearly found its formula, and it runs through Bishop. The Volunteers will need to keep riding him over the next six weeks, and if his pace holds, a weekly honor may not be the last Doak Walker recognition he collects this season.