A couple of former Virginia Tech football players impressed in the months leading into the 2025 NFL Draft following their last game, Thanksgiving Weekend for the Hokies against Virginia. Running back Bhayshul Tuten was one of those players who impressed at both the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine.
At the Combine, Tuten put teams on notice with his performance in the 40-yard dash as part of his impressive workouts. Whoever ended up with him was going to get a back who can break tackles and also double down as a kick returner in a pinch.
Through the first three rounds of the draft, Tuten was not picked, but on Saturday, he was quickly taken off the board early in the fourth round when the Jacksonville Jaguars picked him. After the pick, one ESPN analyst is impressed with former Hokies running back.
ESPN analyst Louis Riddick fawns over former Virginia Tech RB Bhayshul Tuten
Right after it was announced that Jacksonville selected Tuten, ESPN analyst Louis Riddick had nothing but good things to say to the newest AFC South running back who will be joining the second overall pick, Travis Hunter. While breaking down his film right after the pick, Riddick warned opposing defenses of what they would see when Tuten had the ball in his hands.
ESPN's Louis Riddick on #Hokies RB Bhayshul Tuten: "If you don't buckle your chinstrap against this guy, he will absolutely embarrass you. And he will stone linebackers coming down the pike trying to rush the passer. He is really the total package."
— Andy Bitter (@AndyBitterVT) April 26, 2025
Ever since opening eyes at the NFL Combine, mock drafts have been high on Tuten. He proved in his two years at Virginia Tech, he proved that he is a back who can have a ton of success at the next level, and it'll be interesting to see how the Jaguars use him. He can be a third-down back, and he can even catch the ball in the flat and make plays. Riddick's take on Tuten is one that Hokies fans should agree with.