Going into the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay, one name that some could have seen slide up some draft boards after pre-draft workouts was former Virginia Tech running back Bhayshul Tuten. His two years in Blacksburg after coming over in the transfer portal from North Carolina A&T, Tuten saw his draft stock rise each year.
In the end, Tuten had to wait until Day 3 of the draft, like four of his other former teammates, to hear his name called, and when all was said and done, he is headed to the AFC South after the Jacksonville Jaguars selected him 104th overall and in the fourth round. On Tuesday, he signed his first NFL contract, according to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network.
The #Jaguars have agreed to terms with RB Bhayshul Tuten on his rookie deal, source says. The second pick of Day 3 is now under contract well ahead of training camp with a chance to make a run at significant playing time this season. pic.twitter.com/hl01IreGYs
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) June 24, 2025
Bhayshul Tuten signs rookie contract with Jaguars
Tuten signed his NFL rookie contract with Jacksonville and expect him to push for a good amount of playing time in 2025. While at Virginia Tech, he set the single-game rushing record with 266 yards against Boston College back in October, while eclipsing 100 yards rushing six times.
He joins a talented backfield with the Jaguars that has Travis Etienne, who is expected to be the top guy in the fall, and Tank Bigsby. Brian Sexton, who is a correspondent for Jacksonville's team website, thinks Etienne will start the season in the backfield, but he also spoke about Tuten's future.
"I know Tuten, the rookie from Virginia Tech, is an explosive athlete,'' Sexton said. "He's the future, but I'm not sure if he's the present, because it's going to be tough for him to come in and hold off a grown man in Travis Etienne."
There is no doubt that Tuten is the future in Jacksonville, but don't count him out just yet on the upcoming season. If he has a strong preseason and forces the hand of head coach Liam Cohen, he could find himself in some key situations where he's carrying the ball this season. Now that he's signed, the sky's the limit for Tuten in the NFL.