Jaguars Liam Coen challenges RB Bhayshul Tuten to 'go be special'

Thrust into what we presume to be a starting role following the departure of Travis Etienne to the New Orleans Saints, the second-year back is poised for big things.

Tuten's rookie hurdles

The praise came with a caveat first, with his head coach explaining what slowed Tuten in his first year.

"He had a little bit of a learning curve with the protections and a lot of the things that come with playing running back as a rookie," Coen said.

But then he pivoted to how Tuten, who scored five touchdowns on only 83 carries, has a nose for finding paydirt.

"You look at the playoff game against Buffalo, you look at some of the other games down in the red zone - he does a good job of finding the end zone."

What makes Tuten dangerous

Ian Maule / Stringer

Coen then got into what sets Tuten apart.

"His yards after contact and rushing yards when he can get going and get downhill, I mean, he was 4.28 [seconds in the 40-yard dash], so he can fly.

"He was so conscientious about ball security last year, and doing right," he continued. "OK, now Tuten, you've got it, you understand it more, now just go be you.

"Like, go do what brought you here, go be special. That's who you are. We're definitely expecting Tuten to have a big year for us."

4.28 in the 40-yard dash is legitimate track speed, giving the young tailback a real chance of breaking one for a touchdown on any given play.

And if Cole Van Lanen, Anton Harrison and Ezra Cleveland can repeat last season's form up front, Tuten has every chance of improving on his 3.7 yards per carry as a rookie.

The role is there for the taking

With Travis Etienne gone, Tuten's main competition for carries is Chris Rodriguez, signed in free agency after three years with the Washington Commanders.

But if Tuten can win the early-down role and show that he has the ability to progress as a receiving threat - an area where he had much more experience than Rodriguez in college - he can dominate touches.

None of this guarantees a leap, as plenty of backs get the green light from a coach in July and come up short once the pads come on.

But the tools were always there with Tuten. And now, by his own coach's account, so is the permission to use them.