KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee defensive lineman Xavier Gilliam and running back DeSean Bishop have earned midseason All-America recognition following standout performances through the first seven games of the 2026 season.
Gilliam was named a Midseason All-American by the Associated Press, Sports Illustrated, On3, CBS Sports, The Sporting News and The Athletic, while Bishop earned recognition from On3, CBS Sports, The Sporting News and The Athletic.
Through seven games, Gilliam has recorded 10.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, two forced fumbles and six quarterback hurries. His TFL total is the most by a Tennessee player through the first seven games of a season since All-American edge rusher Derek Barnett recorded 11.5 in 2016. Gilliam is one of only three SEC players with double-digit tackles for loss this season and has registered at least half a TFL in all four conference games.
According to Pro Football Focus, he owns the nation’s highest overall grade among interior defensive linemen at 90.4.
Former walk-on DeSean Bishop continues to deliver at an elite level in his second season as the Vols’ starting running back. The junior has rushed for 837 yards and 10 touchdowns through seven games, ranking second in the SEC and third nationally in rushing yards while becoming the only player in the country with at least 800 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns.
Bishop is averaging 119.6 rushing yards per game and 6.02 yards per carry, providing a consistent spark for the Volunteer offense. He has scored a touchdown in six of Tennessee’s seven games and has accumulated 517 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns in the second half alone, both of which lead the nation.
With 2,368 career rushing yards, Bishop is closing in on the top 10 in Tennessee history. He also owns 29 career rushing touchdowns, moving into sole possession of fifth place on the program’s all-time list after scoring twice against Alabama. Bishop enters the South Carolina matchup having recorded three consecutive 100-yard rushing performances for the first time in his career.
