Virginia Tech football: Hokies get talented running back from transfer portal

The Virginia Tech Hokies continued their impressive run on the NCAA transfer portal Friday, adding halfback Bhayshul Tuten, formerly of North Carolina AT&T.

Tuten, a 5-foot-11, 195-pound sophomore from Paulsboro, New Jersey, has two years of eligibility remaining. He announced his engagement on Twitter.

Tuten actually transferred from Boston College. He originally committed to the Eagles, but changed his mind after a quiet visit to Blacksburg.

What will the Hokies get in Tuten?

This felt like a quiet move by the Hokies as Tuten seems to be very underrated. As a freshman in 2021, Tuten rushed for 215 yards and three touchdowns. He also caught 10 passes for 230 yards, including a 92-yard touchdown.

Tuten broke out in 2022, carrying the football 208 times for 1,363 yards and 13 touchdowns. In addition, Tuten had 31 receptions for 342 yards and four more touchdowns. He also returned punts and punts, giving Virginia Tech another experienced option on special teams.

I went back to see Tuten from his time at North Carolina AT&T and he seems to be on another level. Tuten runs at a good pad level, appears to have good vision and is explosive, breaking several long runs in 2022.

It feels like we hype every incoming Hokie, and to some extent we do. We look for positives in every signing. Tuten is the 6th addition from the transfer portal and the 5th in the attack. Every new Hokie, outside of quarterback Kyron Drones, raises the graduation rate. It’s a smart strategy by head coach Brent Pry and his staff. Find underrated players who want to level up.

Tuten brings big talents to the attacking backfield. He’s not just protecting the Hokies in case of injuries to Malachi Thomas and Keshawn King [if he returns]but he is a legitimate threat to get significant playing time on offense in 2023.

Welcome home, Bhayshul.