Tennessee’s roster is showing up all over the latest “Heisman Hopefuls” release, with seven Volunteers landing among the positional top-five lists.
The Vols have ridden a season full of highs and lows, but the latest voting breakdown underscores just how many impact players they have across the board. Fans can vote for anyone, and Tennessee’s presence runs deep in the newest batch.
DeSean Bishop is the headliner on the offensive side. The running back sits No. 1 among running backs and has put himself in position to keep climbing. He is not the Heisman favorite right now, but a strong finish could still get him to New York, or even all the way to the trophy.
Tennessee also has an unusual name near the top of the special teams conversation. Cooper Ranvier is No. 3 among special teams players, a ranking that highlights how valuable a top-tier kicker can be. His impact was obvious in the Alabama game, where he showed he can swing a matchup.
On defense, Lane checks in at No. 3 among defensive backs. The stage may be a long shot, but his case is easy to understand.
With three interceptions and a pile of big plays, including work in off-ball situations, he has been one of the biggest game changers in college football. He is arguably Tennessee’s best overall defender.
David Sanders Jr. is also on the board, listed fifth among offensive linemen. His path to the award is thin, but his spot reflects the kind of dominance he has shown in some of Tennessee’s biggest moments this season.
The deepest Tennessee representation comes in the front seven grouping, where three Volunteers made the graphic. Arion Carter is at the top of that list, Xavier Gilliam is second, and Campbell is No.
- With three of the five players in that category coming from Tennessee, it is another sign of how strong the Vols have been defensively.
In Other News...
Tennessee Just Entered A Recruiting Battle Vols Fans Will Notice
Tennessee has jumped into the mix for one of the more closely watched running back prospects in the country, as Jayshawn Mitchell trimmed his list to 15 schools and kept the Vols in the hunt after a recent offer. The William J. Brennan High School standout from San Antonio has already built a national recruitment, and Tennessee now finds itself among a group of programs still chasing a player whose production and visits have kept plenty of coaches interested.
For the Vols, Mitchell is another reminder that the running back board remains active even with other top backs already committed. Tennessee continues to push for multiple high-profile targets, and landing a player with Mitchells profile would only add to a class that has already been gaining traction at the position. The next step will be whether the Vols can turn that late entry into real momentum against a crowded field. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Has One More Recruiting Battle Fans Will Be Watching Closely
Tennessees 2027 recruiting class is already taking shape with 19 commitments, and two of the names that stand out from Grayson High School are running back David Gabriel-Georges and defensive back Preston Glasco. Glasco, in particular, looks like the kind of long-term addition coaches keep circling back to - a tall, developmental cornerback with the size to help in run support and enough tools to suggest a higher ceiling down the road.
There is still at least one more battle worth watching closely, though, and it comes with an in-state wrinkle that makes it even more meaningful for the Vols. Tennessee remains in the mix for defensive lineman Joshua Lane, who is expected to choose between the Vols and Alabama, giving the staff another chance to protect home turf while trying to finish strong with a key target. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Fans Have One Big DeSean Bishop Concern Right Now
The Heisman Trophy websites fan-driven Heisman Hopefuls section has given Tennessee supporters another reason to check in on the roster, with seven Volunteers showing up in the top five of their positional groups. Among them, DeSean Bishop has been drawing the most attention, sitting out front among the running backs and adding to the buzz around a team that already has plenty of eyes on it as the season moves forward.
The concern, though, is less about the voting and more about Bishops immediate availability after a recent injury issue. Josh Heupel said the situation is expected to settle in well for the upcoming game, but there is still a wait-and-see element for fans hoping Tennessees backfield remains intact as SEC play continues to pile up. [Read more 🡒]