Derek Bishop

Class:
Sophomore
Position:
FB
Height:
5-10
Weight:
225
Prev School:
Bayshore HS
Hometown:
Bradenton, Fla.

An Inside Look from the Coaching Staff: Only returning backfield starter for the Flames … brings strength and toughness to the running game … will be counted on for his leadership in a young backfield.
2008 (Jr.): Saw playing time in 12 games, starting eight contests … was the No. 14 preseason rated fullback in the county according to the Sports Network … finished the year with two receptions for 12 total yards … added three solo stops as a member of the Flames special teams unit … caught an eight-yard pass in the season opener against North Greenville … added a four-yard reception in Liberty's 33-0 shutout victory over Stony Brook … tallied solo stops against Western Carolina, Lafayette and VMI … helped pave the way for starting running back Rashad Jennings, who rushed for a program record 1,500 yards and 17 touchdowns and was named a consensus first-team All-American … as a team, the Flames finished the year ranked No. 13 nationally in rushing (213.5 yards per game) and No. 9 in total offense (446.67 yards per game).
2007 (So.): On the field for nine games, including starts against Shippensburg and Elon … paved the way for Liberty running backs to rush for 2,375 yards and 32 touchdowns, which ranked No. 16 in the nation in rushing offense and No. 3 in scoring offense … recorded a rush for two yards in Liberty's 31-0 victory over Gardner-Webb to seal the Flames first-ever Big South championship … caught a pass for 13 yards at Charleston Southern … returned a kickoff 14 yards against Presbyterian … also finished the year with four total tackles as a member of Liberty's special teams unit … solo stop against Toledo … assisted tackle against Presbyterian … two solo tackles against Charleston Southern.
2006 (Fr.): Saw playing time in all 11 games as a true freshman … started his first career game against Savannah State … used mostly as a blocker … helped the Flames rush for 2,035 yards and 23 touchdowns, ranking Liberty No. 18 nationally in rushing yards per game (185.0) … finished the year with two rushes for seven yards … ran the ball once for no gain against Glenville State … had one carry for seven yards at Savannah State.
Prep: Graduated from Bayshore High School … four-year starter … three-time all-county honoree, including first-team honors during his junior and senior seasons … started six games as a freshman … named to the second-team all-county squad as a sophomore … honorable mention all-state selection as a junior … first-team all-area and second-team all-state honoree as a senior … three-year qualifier for the state tournament in weightlifting.
Personal: Son of Mark Bishop and Donnaraee Santangelo … birthday is Feb. 5 … majoring in business economics and finance.