2025 NFL Draft prospect profile – Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech

Is Tuten a sleeper at the running back position?

The New York Giants seemingly struck gold at running back in the 2024 NFL Draft, but could they look to the position again?

Tyrone Tracy will almost certainly be the Giants’ starter in 2025, but veteran Devin Singletary might not be a long-term answer as a high-volume number two. The two backs are also quite similar in style, and the Giants could be interested in finding some contrast.

Virginia Tech running back Bhayshul Tuten has emerged as one of the most explosive runners in the country over the previous two seasons. He’s made a habit out of turning a glimmer of daylight into big plays and could turn into a steal if he slips in a talented running back class.

Could he be a speedy counter to the slippery Tyrone Tracy?

Prospect: Bhayshul Tuten (33)
Games Watched: vs. Vanderbilt (2024), vs. Rutgers (2024), vs. Miami (2024), vs. Boston College (2024)

Measurables

Kent Lee Platte | RAS.football

Strengths

Best traits

• Competitive toughness
• Explosiveness
• Long speed
• Receiving game play

Bhayshul Tuten is a compact and explosive running back who specializes in generating home-run plays.

Tuten is one of the fastest players in the upcoming draft with a 4.32-second 40-yard dash as well as elite explosive traits. He understands how to manipulate his speed and running tempo to manipulate defenders, then shift gears to exploit poor angles. A full 54 percent of his yardage, roughly 625 yards, came on breakaway runs this past year and his 21 runs of at least 15 yards was 15th in the FBS.

Tuten has a powerful lower body, which allows him to survive incidental contact around the line of scrimmage, as well as poor tackle attempts at the second level. He’s able to bounce off of contact as well as keep (or regain) his footing on the move.

He also has “three down” upside in the backfield, and is a capable receiver as well as pass protector. Tuten understands pass protection schemes and knows his role within them. He consistently identifies pressure and is aggressive about coming up to meet defenders, and does whatever he can to sustain his blocks.

As a receiver, he’s a natural “hands” catcher who does a good job of presenting a target to the quarterback, making adjustments to the ball in the air, and securing it before turning upfield. Tuten also aligned as a true wide receiver on occasion, which should give him added versatility given his ability with the ball in his hands.

Finally, Tuten plays with incredible competitive toughness. He’s a fiery competitor who is constantly fighting for extra yards and doesn’t shy away from contact. Likewise, he’s willing to play lead blocker for receivers on sweeps or his quarterback on designed runs and read-option plays. He also plays hard when used as a misdirection piece, running as though he has the ball even when he’s nowhere near the play.

Weaknesses

Worst traits

• Agility
• Cutback ability
• Size and mass
• Ball security

While Tuten is an explosive athlete and one of the fastest runners in this draft class, he’s also a very linear athlete.

Tuten is at his worst when he’s either asked – or forced – to be a cut-back runner. He lacks great agility as a runner and cutting back often forces him to either slow or stop his feet altogether. That can make him a relatively easy target for defenders, and he can be stopped at or behind the line of scrimmage.

He is also undersized for an NFL running back, and he simply shouldn’t be relied upon to push the pile around the line of scrimmage.

Finally, his incredible competitive toughness can work against him at times as well. Tuten is constantly fighting for extra yardage in the open field, however that also exposes him to extra tackle attempts and he occasionally sacrifices his technique to keep his feet. That, in turn, means more opportunities for defenders to knock the ball loose.

Game Tape

(Tuten is the Virginia Tech running back wearing number 33 and a sleeve on his left leg.)

Projection

Bhayshul Tuten projects as a rotational player in an active backfield.

Some teams might be hesitant to make him a true starter given his size. He could benefit from being paired with a more powerful or more elusive back to offer contrasting styles to opposing defenses. His highest upside will be in an offense and scheme that allows him to get vertical as quickly as possible.

Offenses that ask runners to go horizontal or be cut-back artists would likely waste Tuten’s explosiveness. Ball security should also be a point of emphasis early in his career, as he can expose the ball to being knocked loose while fighting for extra yardage.

That said, he has the potential to be a true home run hitter if he lands in the right situation.

Does he fit the Giants?
Yes

Final Word: A Day 3 value with upside