Big Cat Country
Get to know the Jaguars’ new additions from draft weekend with our ‘3 things to know’ series
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:
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.
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...
