There’s no doubt that this year’s running back class is one of the deeper classes in recent NFL Draft memory. That’s put greater emphasis on seizing any opportunity to impress and standout among your RB peers.
Despite starring at Virginia Tech, Bhayshul Tuten had kind of gotten lost in the shuffle of this running back class. Most years, his production and advanced stats would likely have him as a very likely day 2 guy at worse.
However, Tuten entered the NFL Combine trending towards being a day 3 pick. That likely isn’t the case any more after he put on a show in Indianapolis today, leading the running back in three testing categories including the 40 yard dash and tying for second in another.
Virginia Tech RB Bhayshul Tuten runs a 4.32u!
— NFL (@NFL) March 1, 2025
📺: #NFLCombine on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/27c6jxqn7n
Virginia Tech RB Bhayshul Tuten at the 2025 Combine:
— PFF College (@PFF_College) March 1, 2025
🔴 40 Yard Dash: 4.32 (1st)
🔴 10 Yard Split: 1.49 (1st)
🔴 Vertical Jump: 40.50” (1st)
🔴 Broad Jump: 10’10” (2nd)@HokiesFB pic.twitter.com/vJb0UZ9aIN
His 4.32 40 matches what De’Von Achane ran in 2023, but is the fastest for a running back otherwise since Keith Marshall ran a 4.31 in 2016. Tuten is also tied for the fourth fastest time by a running back ever at the Combine with only Marshall (2016-4.31), Dri Archer (2014-4.28), and Chris Johnson (2008-4.26) running faster times.
His 10-yard split of 1.49 is also the fastest 10-yard split for a running back since Keaton Mitchell had a 1.48 10-yard split in 2023. His 40.5’’ vertical was the best of the day at running back, but not the best ever for a Virginia Tech running back at the Combine as David Wilson previously had a 41’’ vertical in 2012.
After a season where Tuten ran for 1,153 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 6.3 yards per carry despite missing one game due to injury and being limited in multiple other games, Tuten still had plenty to prove given the depth of a running back class with loads of stars.
Now, Tuten’s performance at the Combine has added an extra level of buzz that will have NFL teams looking deeper at him as a prospect and realizing the massive potential he has and the impressive college running back he truly was. Don’t be surprised if Tuten’s Combine performance pushes him way up the RB board and into day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft.
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