How a new assistant can help Ohio State football’s rushing attack in a transitional phase

Posted by author March 4, 2025 Football

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INDIANAPOLIS — Three months ago, running back Bhayshul Tuten was wrapping up his Virginia Tech career. He spent his final days walking into the Hokies’ football facility where he often passed by a parked truck.

It belonged to Tyler Bowen.

That visual stuck with Tuten when he described Bowen, VT’s offensive coordinator from 2022-24, at the NFL Scouting Combine last week.

It’s why Tuten believes Ohio State made the right move in hiring its next offensive line coach and run game coordinator.

“He comes in, day in and day out, putting his best foot forward,” Tuten said. “He was our OC, so he tried to find a lot of ways to make us successful. He puts a lot of hard work in and hours in. He’s usually the first one in, last one out.”

Tuten arrived at Virginia Tech ahead of the 2023 season after two years with North Carolina A&T. Playing under Bowen, he collected 2,022 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns.

Tuten went from an FCS running back to an NFL Draft hopeful projected to go in the fifth round, according to a collection of mock drafts.

“He put us in the best position,” Tuten said. “He did a great job scouting defenses and drawing up plays that he thinks we’ll be most successful with. I think that’s what helped us a lot.”

Tuten’s success suggests Ohio State’s pursuit of Bowen was about more than offensive line recruiting and development.

He’s in Columbus to help a rushing attack in a transitional phase.

Running backs Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson left for the NFL after combining for 2,076 rushing yards in 2024.

The Buckeyes also lost offensive line coach and run game coordinator Justin Frye to the Arizona Cardinals after he helped lead OSU to a national title in January.

Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly — a respected mind across the sport, particularly as it pertains to scheming up a rushing game — then left for the Raiders.

Coach Ryan Day promoted receivers coach Brian Hartline to offensive coordinator. With the head coach and coordinator both specializing in the passing attack, Ohio State needed a proven run-focused hire to replace Frye.

According to Tuten, the Buckeyes got that and more.

“He definitely cares about the team he’s playing for and coaching for,” Tuten said. “I definitely think they’re getting a great coach.”