Ashton Jeanty is no longer flying under the radar. Once overlooked by Power Five programs coming out of Lone Star High School in Frisco, Texas, the Boise State star running back is now projected to be a top-10 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft—and could come off the board as early as No. 5 to Jacksonville or No. 6 to Las Vegas.
Jeanty’s path to NFL stardom is anything but typical. Born in Jacksonville, Florida, to a U.S. Navy chief petty officer, Jeanty spent part of his early life in Virginia and Italy before landing in Texas. His football journey began at Great Bridge Middle School, took shape in Naples, and then truly took off when he moved stateside to play at Lone Star. In his senior season, Jeanty exploded for 1,843 rushing yards and 41 total touchdowns, showcasing his versatility and elite athleticism.
Despite his dominance, he was lightly recruited and ultimately committed to Boise State, a program that initially believed in him. Three years later, he leaves the Broncos as one of the most decorated backs in college football history. Jeanty rushed for 4,769 yards and 50 touchdowns in his career, capped off by a monster junior season where he led the FBS in rushing yards (2,601), scored 29 touchdowns, and took home the Maxwell and Doak Walker Awards. He was also the Heisman Trophy runner-up.
NFL scouts love Jeanty’s contact balance, quick burst, and ability to create yardage after contact. At 5’8″, 211 pounds, he has the low center of gravity and bruising style that reminds some of a compact Steven Jackson. He’s drawn praise for his vision, cut-back ability, and power, easily breaking tackles and often dragging defenders for extra yards. Jeanty forced 130 missed tackles in 2024, leading the nation with 1,970 yards after contact.
Jeanty also brings value in the passing game, having caught 80 balls for 862 yards over his career. Though not yet elite in route running or pass protection, his former experience as a high school wide receiver and steady hands make him a weapon in today’s spread NFL offenses.
The Jaguars, drafting at No. 5, could be tempted to add Jeanty to bolster their run game and pair him with Trevor Lawrence. But the Raiders at No. 6 are another serious contender, especially under Pete Carroll, whose most successful NFL teams have been powered by strong running backs.
Jeanty’s stock is so high that some experts believe he won’t drop past the top 10, with teams like Dallas, Denver, or Cincinnati also keeping a close eye. He skipped the NFL Combine, choosing instead to showcase his talents at Boise State’s pro day, where he impressed scouts with his strength and explosiveness.
Whether he ends up in Jacksonville, Vegas, or elsewhere, Ashton Jeanty is ready to be the engine of an NFL offense. From military bases in Europe to Friday nights in Frisco to national stardom at Boise State, Jeanty’s journey has been anything but conventional—and his NFL future looks just as exciting.
Ashton Jeanty’s College Statistics:
| Year | Team | Games | Rush Att | Rush Yards | Avg | Rush TD | Rec | Rec Yards | Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Boise State | 14 | 156 | 821 | 5.3 | 7 | 14 | 155 | 0 |
| 2023 | Boise State | 12 | 220 | 1,347 | 6.1 | 14 | 43 | 569 | 5 |
| 2024 | Boise State | 14 | 374 | 2,601 | 7.0 | 29 | 23 | 138 | 1 |
| Total | Boise State | 40 | 750 | 4,769 | 6.4 | 50 | 80 | 862 | 6 |
