Approaching the 2025 NFL Draft, we’ll be scouting as many of the top prospects that the Pittsburgh Steelers could have their eye on anywhere from Rounds 1 through 7. We’ll break down the prospects themselves, strengths and weaknesses, projected draft capital and their fit with the Steelers.

Our Steelers NFL draft player profiles continue with a “get your popcorn ready” prospect in Virginia Tech’s speed demon Bhayshul Tuten. He reportedly has already had a pre-draft top 30 visit with the black and gold – and he’s a big-time player crush of mine.

Position: Running back

Class: Senior

Size: 5’9, 210 pounds

Age: 22

Projected draft round: 3-4

Stats via Sports Reference

The dynamic back started his college career at North Carolina AT&T after he was a one-star recruit out of high school. He was a bit banged up this past season, which is why he didn’t get the attention he deserved, but that’s changed quickly.

Tuten crushed the combine, running the fastest time for a running back with a 4.32 forty-yard dash, and a 1.49 10-yard split. His NFL draft stock inevitably jumped after that performance, and he likely has put himself somewhere in that 5-10 range of ball carriers selected.

The speedster recorded six games of over 100 yards this past season and set a school record with 266 yards in a win over Boston College. Quite often we see players like him as one-trick ponies, but that’s not the case here. While Tuten is explosive, he also isn’t exactly a twig. He’s 209 pounds, so he won’t be tackled by the wind anytime soon. He’s got some sneaky power and good contact balance.

This is the play you’ll see the most when sifting through his highlights. I watched this whole game against Miami and there wasn’t much room to run. But when there was a lane, such as this, kiss him goodbye.

He best fits in a wide-zone scheme due to his one one-cut and go ability. He’s not exactly the power plunger Steelers OC Arthur Smith generally covets. I really appreciate his vision, there wasn’t much dancing in the backfield on tape. You can see how he absorbs contact as he finishes this long run.

Anyone can throw a highlight out there of a play like this, but when I watched his reps, he was average at best at picking up the blitz. As mentioned in this post, teams will appreciate his “want to.” But I think he’s going to be limited in pass-pro, which will also limit his three-down ability.

A few notes on Tuten – and take them for what you will. He never took a carry from under center. Not one. Obviously, this is a product of Virginia Tech’s shotgun-heavy offense, which is now making its way to the NFL more than ever before. But it’s definitely concerning. Especially when factoring in his ball protection. Tuten has nine fumbles over the past two seasons.

He also wasn’t featured much of a pass-catcher. He only had 23 receptions for 81 yards last season. That’s a bit strange for someone with that type of game-breaking ability.

I’ve heard comps to Miami Dolphins RB Devon Achane due to his blazing speed, but he reminds me more of Raiders (and former Dolphins) RB Raheem Mostert. Mostert wasn’t asked to be a receiver, but he has always been dangerous with the ball in his hands.

Strengths

Elite speed and wiggle
Above-average vision and decisive hitting the hole
Plays with a chip on his shoulder due to not being heavily recruited

Weaknesses

Pass-protection
Wasn’t utilized much in the passing game
Big time fumbling issues

Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

If you spend too much time focusing on the small inconsistencies of Tuten’s college game, you run the risk of overlooking the match he is for the pro game. He’s an explosive athlete with average size but a compact frame. He has elite straight-line speed and easy hips to make sudden cuts and turns. He’s fairly average at reading the front and running with early decisiveness, but creates with wiggle, power, and speed. Drops and fumbles are a concern, but runners with his contact balance, power, and home run speed put tremendous stress on defenses over four quarters. Tuten could become a starting-caliber back with three-down value.

Ryan Fowler, The Draft Network

Overall, Tuten is a highly productive ball-carrier in the ACC but has limitations in his game that remain evident. While his short, stocky build blends well with his short-area quickness and toughness, his limited twitch and lack of creativity near the line of scrimmage could limit his impact at the NFL level. He projects as more of a seam runner than an athlete who can create his own lanes if needed at this point in time. His acceleration and contact balance do stand out, however, and teams that rely heavily on outside zone will prioritize Tuten’s ability to stretch and attack.

Tuten probably isn’t a three-down back at the next level, but he’s a perfect fit with the Steelers as they are currently constructed. When was the last time they had a player who could take a handoff 80 yards to the house? Willie Parker?

Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell aren’t road graders, but they don’t have that breakaway, energizer bunny ability.

He’s a weapon, he won’t cost a high draft pick (third or fourth), and he can be used in the backfield, on jet sweeps, and on special teams as a return specialist.

I’d love to see him in black and gold.

What are your thoughts on Virginia Tech RB Bhayshul Tuten? And which draft prospects would you like to see profiled next? Let us know in the comments below!