As the Tennessee Volunteers gear up for the 2025 college football season, all eyes are on the backfield to see how the running backs will shape up under head coach Josh Heupel, who enters his fifth year at the helm in Knoxville. The Vols are set to kick off the new campaign on Aug. 30 with a marquee nonconference clash against Syracuse at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The noon Eastern time kickoff will be broadcast live on ABC, marking a high-profile start to a season filled with potential.
Tennessee heads into fall training camp with six running backs on its roster, each bringing a unique skill set to the table. The group is composed of Justin Baker, Hunter Barnes, DeSean Bishop, Peyton Lewis, Daune Morris, and Star Thomas. With a mix of youth, experience, and transfer talent, the Vols have built a diverse and competitive unit that should give offensive coordinator Joey Halzle plenty of options in the run game.
One of the most intriguing names in the group is DeSean Bishop, a 5-foot-10, 208-pound redshirt sophomore who is looking to take on a more prominent role in 2025. Bishop is entering his third season in Knoxville and is coming off a solid campaign in 2024. After missing the entire 2023 season due to an injury suffered during fall camp, Bishop returned to action last year and played in 10 games. He rushed for 455 yards and scored three touchdowns on 74 carries, averaging over 6.1 yards per touch. He also added a 10-yard reception to his stat line, proving he can contribute in the passing game as well.
Bishop’s comeback story is a testament to his resilience and work ethic. Now fully healthy and with a year of live action under his belt, he appears poised to challenge for the starting role or, at the very least, be a major contributor in the rotation.
Among the other running backs, Peyton Lewis and Daune Morris are two young names to watch. Both are promising recruits with high ceilings. Lewis, part of the 2024 signing class, chose Tennessee over several powerhouse programs and brings explosive speed to the field. Meanwhile, Morris committed to the Vols in late 2024 and is expected to add even more depth and competition to the position.
Justin Baker and Hunter Barnes add further depth. Baker, a newer face in the running back room, has drawn praise for his physical running style and vision. Barnes, a homegrown in-state prospect, has been with the program since 2022 and offers versatility on special teams in addition to his backfield duties.
The most recent addition, Star Thomas, transferred in from Duke and brings a veteran presence to the room. At 5-foot-11 and 205 pounds, Thomas has already seen live action at the Power Five level and could be an immediate impact player depending on how quickly he adjusts to Heupel’s up-tempo offensive scheme.
Overall, the Vols are entering the 2025 season with a talented and deep running back unit, one that could play a pivotal role in easing the pressure on a transitioning quarterback room. Whether it’s Bishop’s return to form, the promise of Lewis and Morris, or the experience of Thomas, Tennessee fans should feel optimistic about the ground game heading into the fall.