University of Tennessee Athletics
November 10, 2026 | Football
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee running back DeSean Bishop was named one of 10 semifinalists for the Burlsworth Trophy, which is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player who began his career as a walk-on.
Bishop was also a semifinalist for the award last season.
After rushing for 109 yards in last week's win over No. 6 Kentucky, the Knoxville native became just the second player in program history to record back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, joining Johnnie Jones, who did so in 1983 and 1984.
Entering Week 11, Bishop is one of just four players in the FBS this season with at least 1,000 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns. He has found the end zone in 12 of his last 13 games dating back to last season and his 13 rushing scores rank second in the SEC and tied for seventh nationally.
Bishop has six 100-plus yard rushing performances this year, including five straight entering this Saturday's road showdown at Texas A&M. He ranks second in the conference and 10th in the nation with 1,066 rushing yards on the year, including an FBS-leading 661 of those yards in the second half of games. The bruising senior back also ranks sixth nationally with 752 rushing yards after contact, according to Pro Football Focus.
Bishop has been at his best in the game's biggest moments, leading the nation with 369 fourth-quarter rushing yards and six touchdowns in the final period. Against current AP ranked teams, he leads the nation in carries (100), rushing yards (422) and rushing touchdowns (five).
The selection committee will announce three finalists on Nov. 17. The finalists and their families will be honored at the annual Burlsworth Trophy Award Show on Monday, Dec. 7, at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, where the 2026 recipient will be announced.
The full list of semifinalists for the Burlsworth Trophy can be found below.
Gavin Freeman, WR, Baylor
Easton Messer, WR/PR, FAU
Anthony Boswell, OL, Houston
Drew Evans, OL, Indiana
Aiden Flora, RB/KR/PR, Iowa State
Xavier Lewis, DL, North Carolina
Jordan Faison, WR, Notre Dame
Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State
King Miller, RB, USC
Heisman Trophy Candidate
Maxwell Award Semifinalist
Burlsworth Trophy Semifinalist
2026 Midseason First Team All-American (The Athletic, CBS Sports, On3, Sporting News)
Sr. LB Arion Carter
Butkus Award Semifinalist
William V. Campbell Trophy Finalist
NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class
Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award Semifinalist
Jr. DL Xavier Gilliam
Bednarik Award Semifinalist
Lombardi Award Semifinalist
2026 Midseason First-Team All-American (AP, The Athletic, CBS Sports, On3, Sporting News, Sports Illustrated)
Bishop was also a semifinalist for the award last season.
After rushing for 109 yards in last week's win over No. 6 Kentucky, the Knoxville native became just the second player in program history to record back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, joining Johnnie Jones, who did so in 1983 and 1984.
Entering Week 11, Bishop is one of just four players in the FBS this season with at least 1,000 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns. He has found the end zone in 12 of his last 13 games dating back to last season and his 13 rushing scores rank second in the SEC and tied for seventh nationally.
Bishop has six 100-plus yard rushing performances this year, including five straight entering this Saturday's road showdown at Texas A&M. He ranks second in the conference and 10th in the nation with 1,066 rushing yards on the year, including an FBS-leading 661 of those yards in the second half of games. The bruising senior back also ranks sixth nationally with 752 rushing yards after contact, according to Pro Football Focus.
Bishop has been at his best in the game's biggest moments, leading the nation with 369 fourth-quarter rushing yards and six touchdowns in the final period. Against current AP ranked teams, he leads the nation in carries (100), rushing yards (422) and rushing touchdowns (five).
The selection committee will announce three finalists on Nov. 17. The finalists and their families will be honored at the annual Burlsworth Trophy Award Show on Monday, Dec. 7, at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, where the 2026 recipient will be announced.
The full list of semifinalists for the Burlsworth Trophy can be found below.
2026 Burlsworth Trophy Semifinalists
DeSean Bishop, RB, TennesseeGavin Freeman, WR, Baylor
Easton Messer, WR/PR, FAU
Anthony Boswell, OL, Houston
Drew Evans, OL, Indiana
Aiden Flora, RB/KR/PR, Iowa State
Xavier Lewis, DL, North Carolina
Jordan Faison, WR, Notre Dame
Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State
King Miller, RB, USC
Tennessee Football – 2026 Honor Roll
Sr. RB DeSean BishopHeisman Trophy Candidate
Maxwell Award Semifinalist
Burlsworth Trophy Semifinalist
2026 Midseason First Team All-American (The Athletic, CBS Sports, On3, Sporting News)
Sr. LB Arion Carter
Butkus Award Semifinalist
William V. Campbell Trophy Finalist
NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class
Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award Semifinalist
Jr. DL Xavier Gilliam
Bednarik Award Semifinalist
Lombardi Award Semifinalist
2026 Midseason First-Team All-American (AP, The Athletic, CBS Sports, On3, Sporting News, Sports Illustrated)
Players Mentioned
Tuesday, November 10
Tuesday, November 10
Tuesday, November 10
Tuesday, November 10
