With the 2025 NFL Draft in the books, it’s time to reflect on how the Jacksonville Jaguars fared. Did rookie GM James Gladstone deliver a masterclass, or has he just set the Jags back five years? Truth is, we probably won’t know that for some time. But we can get to know the newest members of the team a little bit better. In the flatest of our mini-series of deep dives, here are three things to know about Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech:
Journey to relevance
Bhayshul Tuten was selected 104th overall in April’s draft, a fitting reward for an impressive college career and a platform to begin a professional one. But the outlook for Tuten wasn’t always so optimistic. Despite an outstanding high school resume, he didn’t get the attention his performances deserved…
A star for Paulsboro High School in New Jersey, Tuten would become a multi-faceted weapon for the Red Raiders. Under the tutelage of legendary head coach Glenn Howard, he became one of the most productive running backs in the nation, finishing his career with 3,768 yards rushing and 77 touchdowns on 429 carries for an average of 8.8 yards per carry. Add to that his prowess as a receiver - 35 career receptions for 437 yards and seven touchdowns - and four touchdown returns on special teams, and you would think that Tuten would be in high demand as a recruit. Instead, he was deemed a zero-star recruit and received just one scholarship offer - from North Carolina A&T.
In two years with the Aggies, Tuten showed the whole of College Football what they had overlooked. After easing his way in as a freshman, Tuten went on to record 1,363 yards and 13 touchdowns on 208 carries in 2022 - the fifth-best single-season rushing performance in A&T history. He broke both the school and conference record for consecutive 100-yard games in a season, and earned All-Big South-first team and FCS third-team All-America honors.
Finally the FBS came calling. Tuten went to Blacksburg, Virginia and picked up where he left off in Greensboro, North Carolina - immediately becoming the starting running back for Virginia Tech. In two years with the Hokies, Tuten surpassed 2,000 rushing yards, added another 320 as a receiver, and amassed 29 touchdowns in total.
Any draft prospect who gets selected has earned it. But maybe, Bhayshul Tuten has earned it more than most.
Speed merchant
Running backs that average 8.8 yards per carry at high school, and 6.0 yards per carry in college, tend to be quick. But there’s quick, and then there’s Bhayshul Tuten, who has rockets strapped to his cleats…
Ever since high school, Tuten has been hard to catch. As well as his exploits on the gridiron, he was dominating on the track too - and as a senior ran the eighth-fastest 60-meter time in South Jersey history, crossing the line in 7.03 seconds. Despite showing that speed on a weekly basis at college, it wasn’t until the NFL combine where Tuten really burst into the draft conversation, the running back posting a blazing 4.32 second forty yard dash. That seemed to be the cherry on top of an exciting draft profile for Jaguars GM James Gladstone, who didn’t wait long on Day 3 to give Tuten the call he’d been working towards since he first put on pads.
That forty time was the fastest of any running back at this year’s combine - and Tuten ranked fifth of all attending prospects. If you felt the Jags’ backfield needed an injection of speed this offseason, it got it.
Fertile NFL roots
As mentioned earlier. Bhayshul Tuten hails from Paulsboro, New Jersey. A small town of approximately 6,000 inhabitants, Paulsboro is probably best known as the site of Fort Billingsport, the first federal land purchase by the United States. Or maybe well remembered for its role as a crucial location during the Revolutionary War. And for a select few locals, they may tell you that it was where the 2004 movie ‘Jersey Girl’ starring Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez and Liv Tyler was filmed. Yeah, that one passed me by too…
Despite it’s tiny size and relative anonymity, Paulsboro does appear to be very good at one thing - producing NFL talent. Before Tuten, no less than SEVEN professional football players were born and raised in the borough that sits on the bank of the Delaware River. It began with cornerback Kevin Ross, who from 1984 spent 14 years in the league, notably with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he went to two Pro Bowls. Next up was Willie Lee ‘Flipper’ Anderson, a wide receiver who spent time with the Rams, Colts and Redskins before winning a Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos in 1997 - his final year as a pro.
Since those two leading lights, running back Isaac Redman (Pittsburgh Steelers), safety Anthony Scirrorro (three teams), defensive end Alex Silvestri (who won a ring with the New England Patriots in 2011) and linebacker Gerald Hodges (five teams) have all graced the league at various points. Another, offensive tackle Julién Davenport, is still officially active but without a team, having just finished his eighth NFL season with the Atlanta Falcons last year.
Paulsboro is a production line of football talent. Bhayshul Tuten hopes to be the next from there to make his mark.