Bhayshul Tuten spent two years at Virginia Tech after beginning his career at North Carolina A&T. In two years for the Hokies, Tuten rushed for 2,022 yards, averaged almost six yards per attempt, scored 25 rushing touchdowns, had four receiving touchdowns and ran two kickoffs back for touchdowns.
Tuten was also named an All-ACC pick for his kick return exploits and earned All-ACC honors in 2024 as a running back.
Tuten quickly became one of the 2025 NFL draft’s most interesting offensive prospects after he put on a show at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. Tuten ran the fastest 40-yard dash among running backs and was one of the fastest players overall at the draft’s premier showcase event.
Tuten went early in the fourth round to the Jacksonville Jaguars in a deep running back class. With a new offensive-minded head coach, Tuten landed in the perfect place to earn playing time as a rookie. Remember, the Jags also have a new general manager and the team’s existing backs weren’t brought in by the new regime.
NFL teams are in the middle of OTAs currently, and Jacksonville head coach Liam Coen recently spoke about Tuten. It didn’t begin well.
“I think you put the ball on the ground today, that’s kind of stands out,” Coen said last week via [Carlos Sanchez of “Black & Teal](https://blackandteal.com/bhayshul-tuten-s-bid-rb1-job-takes-massive-hit-after-jaguars-otas-miscue-fumble-liam-coen-01jvq6et5p7x).” “But I thought last week, as we were kind of getting more into the scheme, he was getting a little bit more comfortable. I thought he started to get a little bit more into it, had a couple better runs of feeling the zone and being able to stick his foot in the ground and accelerate.”
While that sounded ominous to begin with, Coen certainly sees Tuten’s potential. Tuten joins a backfield with former first-round pick Travis Etienne and former third-round pick Tank Bigsby. However, if the new regime believed in the holdovers, Tuten probably wouldn't have been selected.
If Tuten can clean up the fumbling issue, he could be in line for a significant role in his rookie year. His speed would give the Jags another element to their offense, led by quarterback Trevor Lawrence and star wideout Brian Thomas Jr.