FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Virginia Tech running back Bhayshul Tuten. And check out our entire 2025 NFL Draft Guide.
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2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Bhayshul Tuten
Bhayshul Tuten (RB – Virginia Tech)
5-foot-11 | 209 Pounds
Background
Bhayshul Tuten wasn’t really on the recruiting radar out of high school. He spent two seasons at North Carolina A&T, where he played sparingly in 2021 (445 total yards) before breaking out with a big year of 208-1,363-13 (6.6) on the ground, adding 31-342-4 (11.0) receiving.
Transferred to Virginia Tech, where he ran 173-863-10 (5.0) and added 27-239-2 receiving and two kick return touchdowns. Was more productive on the ground this year, with 183-1,159-15 (6.3), but receiving totals were negligible.
Positives
Tuten stepped into Virginia Tech’s zone-based offense and showed he could handle the leap up in competition, with two productive seasons and a nice trajectory. A pretty compactly built back with good flexibility and a low center of gravity. Had sort of an interesting usage where the team would often motion him in before the snap to give him opportunities for jet sweeps, pop passes and plays of that nature.
Smooth accelerator who has the speed to win the edge on outside rushing attempts and was very much used as an east-west option in school to stretch the defense horizontally. Explosive runner when he finds a lane, with home-run-hitting speed. Able to run through arm tackles when he gets a head of steam. Willing to stick his nose in and engage from his feet in blitz pickup. Has additional value as a kick returner.
Negatives
Struggles to grind out tough yardage between the tackles. Can sometimes push the plays too far east to west, rather than hitting early cutback lanes. Cuts aren’t the sharpest. Doesn’t make a ton of guys miss and is faster/more explosive than sudden. Contact balance isn’t the best. Tuten isn’t going to withstand too many hits or break a ton of tackles.
Struggles to push the pile at the end of his runs and doesn’t always show the greatest leg churn after being hit. Ball security has been a major issue, with nine fumbles on 363 carries over the past two seasons. Didn’t drop any passes this past year, but had nine drops over the 2022 and 2023 seasons against 55 catches. Doesn’t have the best contact balance in blitz pickup.
Summary
One of the more unconventional backs in the class. Uses his smooth acceleration and impressive top-end speed to stretch defenses as an east-west runner, with the ability to hit home runs when he finds a crease. However, despite being a relatively thickly built back, Tuten struggles to pound the ball between the tackles, with contact balance and power that look closer to average.
While he shows good willingness in pass protection, he hasn’t been the most reliable receiver. Ball security has also been a significant issue over the past two seasons. Projects as a mid-to-late-rounder on offenses based around outside runs, with additional value as a kick returner on special teams.
Projection: Round 5/Round 6
Check out all of our 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Reports 
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Jeanty proved he’s the total package this past season, with an unbelievable combination of vision, patience, creativity, agility, power, balance and speed that nearly allowed him to break Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record.
Can fit in any offensive scheme, but might be best in a scheme that runs a relatively high amount of outside zone to maximize his home-run hitting ability. After a year in which he dazzled viewers with a nonstop succession of dominant highlights, Jeanty should be a lock for the first round, potentially going in the top half of the frame. Projects as a long-term, every-down feature back who should make an immediate impact.
Projection: Round 1
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There’s not a whole lot to critique about his game, besides his lack of ideal explosiveness and long speed. Otherwise, Skattebo has the look of a potential every-down back in the league or at least the power back in a one-two punch. Could get some second-day looks.
Projection: Round 3/Round 4
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Neal’s snaps were relatively balanced throughout his career (more gap until this past season, then a little bit more zone), but might be better suited to a zone-blocking scheme where he’s able to stretch defenses out and cut upfield when he sees daylight. Probably more of a mid-round option.
Projection: Round 5
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More 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Reports for Running Backs
- Dylan Sampson (Tennessee)
- DJ Giddens (Kansas State)
- Jordan James (Oregon)
- Bhayshul Tuten (Virginia Tech)
- Brashard Smith (SMU)
- Damien Martinez (Miami)
- Jarquez Hunter (Auburn)
- Kalel Mullings (Michigan)
- LeQuint Allen Jr. (Syracuse)
- Raheim Sanders (South Carolina)
- Phil Mafah (Clemson)
- Tahj Brooks (Texas Tech)
- Trevor Etienne (Georgia)
- TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State)
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