John Shipley

JACKSONVILLEBhayshul Tutenhas always been fast.

In 2026, he wants to be even faster.

Tuten, a fourth-round selection by the Jaguars in the 2025 NFL Draft, played an important role as a rookie, but improvement is at the top of his mind entering his second season. Tuten said after Day 4 2026 OTAs Tuesday that he "couldn't stop thinking about how I can improve" this offseason, and now is when that improvement is set to begin.

"So, the whole entire offseason, chatting with coach, getting some tips and feedback, and then also doing a self-evaluation of myself for what I did right, and what I need to improve on," Tuten said. "And ultimately, it begins here.

Tuten, selected No. 104 overall from Virginia Tech in last offseason's draft, appeared in 16 games (one postseason) as a rookie. He rushed for 307 yards and five touchdowns on 83 carries, the fifth-highest total single-season total by a rookie franchise history. He also caught 10 passes for 79 yards and two touchdowns, and his seven touchdowns were the sixth-most of any rookie in franchise history.

With the departure of former starting running back Travis Etienne Jr. in free-agency, Tuten's role in the Jaguars' backfield could expand in his second season. Tuten, though, is focused first on how he can improve inHead Coach Liam Coen's offense.

Tuten this week said he feels that growth on the practice field.

"Yeah, I definitely do," Tuten said. "The difference for me is just being mentally prepared and understanding the playbook.

Tuten said this was an important part of his self-evaluation after the season. He said the "big feedback" he got from the Jaguars' coaching staff was about playing fast and playing free, something he noted when watching film. Entering this year's offseason program, Tuten said he has been able to do just that.

The development and growth that Tuten and the rest of the Jaguars' running back room show throughout the offseason program and training camp will be paramount to the Jaguars' offense. That is what makes a faster Tuten a potentially dangerous proposition for opposing defenses.

Tuten, who is joined at the position by fellow second-year veteranLeQuint Allen Jr., veteransChris Rodriguez Jr.,DeeJay Dallas, andAmeer Abdullah, and undrafted rookie running backJ'Mari Taylor, is ready for the responsibility that comes with improvement.

"It means a lot, not just to me, but to the entire running back room, the guys in our room, the coaches, to show that the head coach and the OC and the offense put trust in us to make plays and lead the offense," Tuten said.