JACKSONVILLE – He's producing – and as Bhayshul Tuten sees it, the best is to come.
Tuten is now the Jaguars' starting running back. After spending his rookie season rotating, he has been increasingly effective and productive in the first two games of the 2026 season.
He has worked for this. And this is his time.
"It's a bigger role, and it feels good taking on that role, going out there and getting more snaps," Tuten said.
Tuten, a fourth-round selection by the Jaguars in the 2025 NFL Draft who has started each of the first two games this season, joined senior writer John Oehser for this Week 3 2026 O-Zone Podcast. He discussed multiple topics, including how the Jaguars are approaching Sunday's matchup with the defending AFC Champion New England Patriots at EverBank Stadium.
The AFC South-leading Jaguars (1-1) lost to the Denver Broncos, 20-13, last Sunday – and Tuten said the Jaguars this week have embraced Head Coach Liam Coen's message of responding.
"It definitely is a theme," Tuten said. "Coach Liam preaches that a lot, and he has been preaching it throughout the week, since Sunday. It's honestly working for us.
"We know we have to pick it up. The theme is fast and physical, play with your hair on fire, do us and do the things we do. That has been a big emphasis in practice."
Tuten, after beginning his career as a lightly recruited prospect, played two seasons at North Carolina A&T before rushing for 2,022 yards and 25 touchdowns in two seasons at Virginia Tech. He rushed for 307 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie in 2025, before emerging as a starter this season.
"I came out of high school during COVID," Tuten said. "It was a rough situation to come out in. A&T gave me an offer pretty late. I was grateful for that. I committed there, played as a freshman and had a breakout season as a sophomore. It was just grinding and working at that point.
"I decided to hit the portal and move up a notch. I went to Virginia Tech, had two great seasons and we're here now."
Tuten, who ran the fastest 40-yard dash time at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, has rushed for 131 yards and one touchdown this season. And while his longest run this season to date is 16 yards, he said he believes he is close to something longer.
"I definitely do think so," Tuten said. "I had a couple of runs last game I wanted back that could have been big ones. But like my dad says, 'Just keep pounding and pounding and pounding, the big one's going to come.'
"That's the mindset I keep. The big one's going to come soon. Just keep doing the routine things right, keep running the ball the way I have. When it opens up, it's my job to hit it and go get it."
To hear the entire O-Zone Podcast interview with Tuten, click HERE.
