The Jacksonville Jaguars have built their identity on the ground, and so far, it is paying off. Through one week of play, Jacksonville leads the league in rushing at 169 yards per game. The Jaguars are also tied with the Baltimore Ravens at 5.7 yards per attempt, proving their efficiency is just as dangerous as their volume.
At the center of this early-season dominance is Bhayshul Tuten, a rookie back who is quickly carving out his role in Head Coach Liam Coen’s offense. His bruising running style is giving defenses another problem to worry about, as the Jaguars now feature a three-headed monster of Tuten, Travis Etienne, and LeQuint Allen Jr.
Blending Speed and Power
Bhayshul Tuten is not just fast—he’s elite in that category. His 4.32-second forty-yard dash places him among the fastest backs in the league. But unlike many speed-first running backs, he doesn’t shy away from contact. Instead, Tuten embraces it.
“It’s just always been a part of my game,” Tuten said on Monday. “Yeah, I’m fast, but I also like to run between the tackles, and I don’t shy away from contact. It’s who I am.”
That mentality makes him uniquely effective. He runs with a natural forward lean, absorbing contact and grinding out extra yards. Even in college, negative plays were rare for him because he consistently fell forward and fought back to the line of scrimmage.
“It’s kind of a mindset,” Tuten explained on Monday. “Anytime I get hit behind the line, I try to drive forward. It’s routine now.”
Adding Another Dimension
Bhayshul Tuten’s arrival has given Jacksonville another versatile weapon. He is not only a powerful runner but also a natural pass catcher, capable of tracking the ball outside his frame with smooth body control. On Sunday, he lined up with Travis Etienne in multiple sets, giving the Jaguars a dynamic wrinkle that defenses struggled to handle.
“I think it brings a great dimension to the team,” Tuten said on Monday. “So being able to have us both on the field to go line up as a wide receiver in the backfield. Just having both of us on the field definitely helps the offense a lot.”
Travis Etienne himself has noticed Tuten’s impact. Entering his fifth season, the veteran back has taken on the role of mentor. “It’s been amazing,” Tuten said of Etienne’s leadership.
“He gives us nuances of the NFL, things to expect week to week. His experience has been huge.”
That balance between youthful explosiveness and veteran stability is a large reason why the Jaguars‘ rushing attack has been so effective. Bhayshul Tuten believes it also comes from preparation.
“It all starts with how we practice,” Tuten said on Monday. “Coach Coen does a great job of calling runs and trusting us.”
With Etienne’s explosiveness, LeQuint Allen’s power, and Tuten’s bruising speed, the Jaguars have assembled one of the NFL’s most punishing backfields. If the early numbers are any indication, this ground game will be a problem for defenses all season long.
Bhayshul Tuten Brings Power to Jaguars’ Dynamic Ground Game