Bhayshul Tuten had a promising, albeit unspectacular, rookie campaign. As the backup rusher to Travis Etienne, the 2025 fourth-round pick totaled 83 carries for 307 yards and 7 total touchdowns across 15 regular season games. His average yards per carry (3.7) ranked 45th among 55 qualifying running backs.
Last month, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed Chris Rodriguez Jr. to help compensate for Etienne’s departure. The former may end up leading the backfield in 2026, but the distribution of snaps and
touches should even out a bit, with Tuten and pass-protecting ace LeQuint Allen Jr. entering their second seasons.
Beyond an expected increase in volume, Tuten is also expected to benefit from an evolution in his usage.
“You look at what Tut’ showed in terms of getting downhill on it, inside the tackles, that really wasn’t as much on his tape in college,” head coach Liam Coen said at the team’s annual pre-draft media luncheon on Thursday. “I think we can do a better job of giving him some opportunities, a little bit more, that fit his skill set as well in college, get him going in some of those instances, as well in the pass game, in the screen game.”
Jacksonville wishes to get Tuten the ball in space more often. Even without the Coen quote, it’d be logical for the offense to give Tuten most of the perimeter looks that previously went to Etienne — especially considering Rodriguez is more of a between-the-tackles grinder. Tuten, on the other hand, is a ball of burst that would be best weaponized outside the tackles.
“I thought he did a great job [last season],” Coen added. “I know he had the one fumble against the Colts, but ball security was something we honed on a lot, we really tried to work on- that wasn’t just with him, that was with the whole group- but, okay, now, year two, let’s go be more creative. Like, ‘Hey, now you learned ball security at a premium, what we’re looking for, the standard. Now let’s go take it to the next level.’”
For what it’s worth, Coen also suggested a larger role for Allen in the passing game. “LeQuint showed so much in terms of the toughness, physicality, the care factor, third down runs that he was really good at for us. I know he had 60 catches or so in college, so that’s an area we can continue to lean into him as well.”
Here’s to hoping that Tuten will build off his strong playoff performance and take advantage of the opportunity in front of him. Based on what we’ve seen from him so far, he should at least be an exciting change of pace back. How much better than that could he be?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
