Jaguars Elevate Bhayshul Tuten After Etienne Leaves Jacksonville

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten has an opportunity to establish himself as the team's leading back after Travis Etienne departed for the New Orleans Saints during the offseason. The 2025 NFL Draft selection arrived in Jacksonville from Virginia Tech and is now positioned for a larger role following his rookie season as Etienne's backup.

According to a Yahoo Sports profile published October 11, 2026, Tuten grew up in Paulsboro, New Jersey, where he attended Paulsboro High School. His high school career included 3,768 rushing yards at an average of 8.8 yards per carry, along with 77 rushing touchdowns.

Tuten also recorded seven receiving touchdowns, three kickoff-return touchdowns and one punt-return touchdown during his high school career. His Virginia Tech biography lists his 60-meter time of 7.03 seconds as the eighth-fastest in South Jersey history.

His athletic background extends to his family. Yahoo Sports reported that Tuten's father competed as a sprinter, while his mother was a record-breaking hurdler.

After graduating from Paulsboro High School, Tuten spent two years at North Carolina A&T. He recorded 1,363 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns as a sophomore, performances that helped him secure a transfer to Virginia Tech.

During his two seasons with the Hokies, Tuten earned second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors twice. The Jaguars subsequently selected him with the 104th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, according to Yahoo Sports.

His expanded responsibilities in Jacksonville follow a productive opening stretch of the 2026 season. Fantasy Life reported on October 10 that Tuten was among five running backs who had recorded at least 65 rushing yards in every game through the first four weeks.

That report also noted that two of Tuten's touchdowns had been overturned during Week 4. The figures highlighted his early rushing production while the Jaguars prepared for their next game in London.

Tuten's unusual first name has also drawn attention, although Yahoo Sports said the name's origin remains unclear. The outlet cited Ancestry.com for the English surname Tuten, which has historical roots in Yorkshire and Cumbria.

One possible origin of the surname is an Old English term associated with a person serving as a lookout. However, Yahoo Sports did not identify a verified origin or established meaning for Bhayshul as a first name.