The Tennessee running back room is taking shape as fall camp approaches, and early pecking order shifts will influence how carries are allocated this season.
Reporting from A to Z Sports notes DeSean Bishop is Tennessee’s No. 1 and that Tulane transfer Javin Gordon is emerging as the top backup option behind him.
Key Takeaways
- DeSean Bishop is established as Tennessee’s lead running back after his 2025 season with 1,076 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns.
- Tulane transfer Javin Gordon has pushed ahead in the No. 2 competition after spring-game and fall-camp showings.
- Daune Morris remains a valued rotational piece with open-field skills that project him into situational packages.
Why Javin Gordon is emerging as the early No. 2
Gordon’s case for the primary backup role rests on tangible plays and growing confidence within the staff and local media tracking camp.
He rushed for 516 yards and five touchdowns as a true freshman at Tulane, and that production profile followed him to Knoxville.
On3’s Pete Nakos reported Gordon ripped off a 62-yard touchdown in Tennessee’s spring game, and consistent fall-camp reps have continued to build his standing as the immediate second-string option.
How Daune Morris projects as a situational weapon
Daune Morris remains part of the conversation because his skill set offers different ways to impact games rather than supplanting a between-the-tackles back.
As a former four-star recruit, Morris brings agility and open-field playmaking suited to space-heavy packages and specific situational work.
Local analysts have noted Morris provides open-field traits that complement the between-the-tackles role projected for Gordon, keeping him relevant in specific packages.
Bishop’s offseason development and projected role
DeSean Bishop’s standing atop the depth chart is a product of performance and offseason development reported during spring and camp.
He finished 2025 with 1,076 yards and 16 touchdowns, and the report credits his physical gains to work under new strength coach Derek Owings.
Those gains, paired with his production history, make Bishop the obvious lead back for the coming season and suggest he will absorb the bulk of early-down and short-yardage opportunities.
Running back recent production and projected roles
| Player | 2025 Production or Profile | Projected Role |
|---|---|---|
| DeSean Bishop | 1,076 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns in 2025 | Primary workhorse and early-down lead back |
| Javin Gordon | 516 rushing yards and 5 rushing touchdowns as a true freshman at Tulane | Emerging as the likely No. 2 with ability to run between the tackles and provide depth |
| Daune Morris | Former four-star recruit noted for open-field playmaking | Situational specialist in space, used in packages emphasizing agility and vision |
SEC roster implications for Tennessee’s running back room
How Tennessee distributes carries between Bishop, Gordon and Morris will affect the Vols’ in-game versatility and ability to sustain drives against physical SEC front sevens.
A clear lead back in Bishop paired with a dependable, experienced No. 2 in Gordon helps protect Bishop from overuse across a long conference slate, while Morris’ situational role adds schematic flexibility to handle different defensive looks.
