written by: Jakayla Jackson/Outlook News
photos by: Juan Moore/Outlook News & Jason McDonald/Core360 Sports
JACKSONVILLE, FL-Speed. Vision. Versatility. Those three words don’t just describe Bhayshul Tuten’s game—they define his mindset. The Jacksonville Jaguars’ rookie running back is already making waves before pads have even popped. No headlines. No hype machines. Just that cold grind and undeniable burst that makes coaches stop, rewind the tape, and say, “Who’s that kid again?”
The league is full of stories about first-round backs, NIL darlings, and social media sensations. But sometimes, the most dangerous weapon in the arsenal is the one nobody saw coming. Tuten is quietly stepping into a crowded backfield in Duval with the kind of confidence that can’t be coached. It’s the kind you earn, rep by rep, mile by mile.
The Paulsboro, New Jersey product has walked through every door that’s tried to close on him. His story? Pure underdog. Straight grit.
The North Carolina A&T Chapter
Before the bright lights of the NFL, before the chants of Lane Stadium at Virginia Tech, there was Greensboro, North Carolina—and a blue and gold jersey with Tuten’s name stitched across the back. At North Carolina A&T, he didn’t just make a name for himself—he rewrote the playbook.
In 2022, Tuten dropped jaws across HBCU football with 1,363 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging 6.6 yards per carry. He also caught 31 passes for 342 yards, finishing the season with over 1,700 all-purpose yards. He wasn’t just the engine for A&T—he was the ignition switch, the nitrous, and the finish line all in one. His footwork was poetry, and his speed? Certified. Straight lane-splitter type.
But he wanted more. Wanted to show he could eat at the Power Five table. So he bet on himself, hit the transfer portal, and made the move to Blacksburg, VA.
From Aggie Blue to Hokie Maroon
Virginia Tech gave Tuten a bigger stage—and he wasted no time making noise. In 2023, he led the Hokies in rushing with 863 yards and 10 touchdowns, all while catching passes and returning kicks like a Swiss Army knife on turf. He finished with 1,468 all-purpose yards and earned second-team All-ACC honors.
But it wasn’t just the numbers—it was how he got them. Tuten ran with vision beyond his years. His ability to find daylight in clogged lanes, plant that foot, and explode was the type of skill set that translated instantly to Sundays.
Whether bouncing outside or hitting the second level like he had a metro pass, Tuten played with pace and patience. He wasn’t just playing football—he was composing a highlight reel every Saturday.
Reese’s Senior Bowl: The Pre-Draft Statement
Before he made noise at the Combine, Tuten got his first taste of the NFL spotlight at the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama—a premier proving ground for college football’s top NFL prospects. Under the eyes of scouts, executives, and coaches from all 32 teams, Tuten went to work.
Against some of the best senior talent in the country, he looked like he belonged. His burst, his balance, and that same versatile toolset showed up in every rep. The Senior Bowl is where hype goes to die—or dreams get confirmed. And for Tuten, it was confirmation. He showed he could compete on equal footing with Power Five elites and carve out his space in a league that thrives on difference-makers.
That week in Mobile helped boost his pre-draft stock, setting the stage for what came next.
The Combine: Lights, Cameras, Speed
You want to know where he really broke through? Indianapolis. The NFL Combine was Tuten’s coming-out party. He clocked a blistering 4.32 in the 40-yard dash, sending scouts scrambling to recheck their notes. That time didn’t just turn heads—it turned doubt into opportunity.
Draft boards lit up. Mock drafts got tweaked. By Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft, Jacksonville made the call. Pick 104. Fourth round. Bhayshul Tuten was officially on his way to the league.
Rookie Minicamp: No Cap, Just Work
Fast-forward to minicamp. There’s always noise this time of year—rookies making flash plays, veterans jogging through drills, cameras catching every juke. But while most are trying to adjust, Tuten looks like he’s already clocked in.
He’s cutting like he’s on autopilot. Acceleration? Clean. Footwork? Tight. And despite a single drop in passing drills, he bounced right back, torching the next set with precision routes and smooth hands. That bounce-back? That’s what separates dudes just trying to make the team from the ones trying to take a spot.
Observers on-site—including veteran NFL lensman Don Juan Moore—took note: “He moved like he belonged.” And that wasn’t hype. It was facts.
Crowded Room? Say Less.
Here’s the twist—Tuten’s not walking into a wide-open backfield. He’s stepping into a jungle.
The Jaguars already have a stacked running back room. At the top sits Travis Etienne Jr.—an established vet with home-run speed and elite dual-threat skills. Behind him is Tank Bigsby, a bruiser who brings power between the tackles. Add to that two other rookies: Ja’Quinden Jackson from Arkansas, a converted quarterback with raw upside, and LeQuint Allen Jr. out of Syracuse, a smooth all-purpose back in his own right.
That’s a whole lotta talent vying for limited carries. But if you know Tuten, you know he ain’t blinking. This ain’t new to him.
What separates him from the pack is his ability to impact all three phases of the game. He’s not just a ball-carrier—he’s a weapon. Slot him in on third down, flex him wide, or let him cook in kick returns. Wherever you line him up, Tuten’s going to find a way to make the defense sweat.
But let’s be real: the modern NFL running back can’t just run. He’s gotta block, catch, create space, and hit gear two like a Tesla off the line. Tuten checks all those boxes.
Mentality Over Hype
For a kid who started at an HBCU, jumped to the ACC, showcased at the Senior Bowl, then burned up the Combine, the journey’s been anything but smooth. But that’s what sharpens the blade.
Tuten brings that blue-collar Jersey edge with him. No silver spoon. No handouts. Just a chip on his shoulder and cleats that talk loud when they hit grass.
In a league where hype fades and production reigns, Tuten is positioning himself not just to make the 53-man roster—but to contribute. Special teams. Change-of-pace carries. Mismatches in the flat. He’s got lanes to carve if he keeps stacking days.
Final Word: Don’t Sleep
The Jaguars are trying to build something dangerous on offense—dynamic, unpredictable, and fast. In Bhayshul Tuten, they may have found a perfect puzzle piece.
He’s not here to wait his turn. He’s here to take it.
So while the headlines chase the usual suspects, Bhayshul Tuten is in Jacksonville writing his own verse. It’s got rhythm. It’s got power. And soon enough, it might be playing every Sunday.