Report: Virginia Tech RB Bhayshul Tuten name to watch for Dallas Cowboys ahead of 2025 NFL Draft

Running back has been a position strongly tied to the Dallas Cowboys throughout the 2025 NFL Draft process. Ashton Jeanty was a popular mock draft selection at No. 12, as was Omarion Hampton at one point. But if the Cowboys are going to take a new RB, his name likely will not be called on Thursday.

Somewhere on Day 2 appears to be a real possibility. NFL Network’s Jane Slater has put out a new name Dallas could be looking at in the late second round. Virginia Tech‘s Bhayshul Tuten, somebody who spent two years as the starter in Blacksburg.

“RB won’t happen in RD1 unless something crazy happens but keep an eye on moves to find Tuten in late 2nd,” Slater said via X.

The Cowboys own No. 44 in the second round, not a pick you would consider late. Slater might be implying some kind of trade from Jerry Jones in order to get back into the latter half. Multiple different avenues then open up, including trading back in the first round, currently slated at No. 12 overall.

Looking specifically at Tuten, he enjoyed a breakout season during the 2024 campaign. His 183 carries resulted in 1,159 yards and 15 touchdowns. Tuten got double-digit touchdowns in back-to-back years with Virginia Tech but this was his first time surpassing the 1,000-yard mark at the power conference level.

“Yeah, we obviously gave him a game ball, you know,” Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry said after Tutem ran for a school record 266 yards against Boston College. “He’s a dog. He looked fast…You know, once he gets out there in the open, he’s hard to catch now. You know, he’s finally healthy,” Pry added. “He didn’t wear his brace tonight. The medical staff approved that he was confident.”

Six of Tuten’s 11 appearances went for at least 100 rushing yards. Only two games saw him left out of the end zone, one of which was during a four-carry night against Clemson.

The Ringer‘s Todd McShay has declared this year’s running back class the best of all time. Plenty of quality players are going to be out there for the Cowboys to choose from. Plenty of good value should be out there.

Tutem may not wind up being the selection for Dallas, nobody truly knows their big board. But Slater is hearing enough about him to hear buzz about some kind of late second round selection.