Ashton Jeanty is a generational talent whose skill set redefines the running back position. His combination of elite vision, unparalleled contact balance, and explosive athleticism makes him one of the most complete backfield prospects in recent memory. Jeanty thrives in zone schemes, where his anticipation and acceleration leave defenders grasping at air, and he is equally effective in gap schemes, using decisive cuts and power to dismantle even the most disciplined defensive fronts. Beyond his rushing ability, Jeanty is a true offensive weapon due to his advanced receiving skills. With soft hands and polished route-running, he is capable of lining up as a wide receiver in certain packages. His prowess in pass protection further solidifies his status as a modern three-down back, offering versatility and dependability in any game situation. Teams selecting at the top of the draft will find it difficult to pass on Jeanty, as his potential to be the focal point of an NFL offense is undeniable. With the tools to contend for Offensive Rookie of the Year, Jeanty has all the makings of an elite playmaker who can immediately change the fortunes of a franchise.

Background

Hailing from Jacksonville, Florida, Jeanty’s rise began with a stellar high school career as a three-sport athlete. In his senior year, he posted a remarkable 1,843 rushing yards, 810 receiving yards, and 41 touchdowns, showcasing his versatility and athleticism. At Boise State, he seamlessly transitioned to the collegiate level, where he would go on to rewrite the record books. After an impressive freshman year, Jeanty’s sophomore campaign saw him tally 1,347 rushing yards and 569 receiving yards, earning Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year honors. His junior season elevated him to historic levels, leading the nation in yards from scrimmage with 2,739 and rushing yards with 2,601, while adding 29 rushing touchdowns. A statement performance against Georgia Southern, where he racked up 267 yards and six touchdowns, set the tone for a record-breaking year. Jeanty’s accolades include unanimous All-American honors, the Maxwell and Doak Walker Awards, and a second-place finish in the Heisman Trophy voting. His career totals—4,769 rushing yards at 6.4 yards per carry, 50 rushing touchdowns, and 862 receiving yards—underscore his dominance as one of the greatest running backs in NCAA history.

Scouting Report

Pros:

Jeanty’s contact balance is unmatched, consistently shedding tackles and maintaining forward momentum through traffic. His elite vision and anticipation enable him to identify and exploit rushing lanes before they fully develop, putting defenders at a constant disadvantage. Combining burst and long speed, Jeanty is a home-run threat every time he touches the ball, capable of turning routine plays into game-changing moments. As a receiver, his natural hands and expansive catch radius make him a reliable target at all levels of the field. His workhorse mentality is complemented by advanced pass protection skills, as he quickly diagnoses blitzes and anchors effectively against larger defenders. Jeanty’s low pad level and powerful leg drive allow him to consistently finish runs by falling forward, embodying the mentality of a game-changing player who elevates his performance in critical moments.

Cons:

Jeanty does face a few challenges. His slightly smaller stature might limit his effectiveness in short-yardage situations where pile-moving power is required. While his route tree is effective, further refinement could unlock additional potential as a receiving threat. Concerns about his heavy college workload may prompt NFL teams to manage his touches early in his career to ensure longevity. Additionally, Jeanty could benefit from displaying more patience behind the line of scrimmage, allowing blocks to develop fully before committing to his lane. Occasional lapses in ball security when fighting for extra yards in traffic are another area for improvement, but these issues are minor compared to his overall capabilities.

HISTORY -- From college bio

CAREER HONORS

Heisman Trophy Runner-Up (2024)

Maxwell Award Winner (2024)

Doak Walker Award Winner (2024)

Bobby Bowden Trophy Winner (2024)

Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Winner (2024)

Unanimous All-American (2024)

Consensus All-American (2024)

Walter Camp Award Finalist (2024)

AFCA First Team All-America (2024)

Associated Press Unanimous First Team All-America (2024)

CBS Sports Unanimous First Team All-America (2024)

College Football Network First Team All-America (2024)

ESPN First Team All-America (2024)

FWAA First Team All-America (2024)

Phil Steele First Team All-America (2024)

Pro Football Focus All-America (2024)

Sports Illustrated First Team All-America (2024)

The Athletic First Team All-America (2024)

The Sporting News First Team All-America (2024)

USA Today Unanimous First Team All-America (2024)

Walter Camp First Team All-America (2024)

2x Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year (2023, 2024)

2x All-Mountain West First Team (2023, 2024)

Phil Steele All-Mountain West First Team (2024)

Associated Press Unanimous Midseason All-America (2024)

Athlon Sports Midseason All-America (2024)

The Athletic Midseason All-America (2024)

CBS Sports Unanimous Midseason All-America (2024)

Pro Football Focus Midseason All-America (2024)

Senior Bowl Midseason All-America (2024)

The Sporting News Midseason All-America (2024)

4x Doak Walker National Running Back of the Week (Sept. 4, 2024, Oct. 1, 2024, Oct. 8, 2024, Nov. 12, 2024)

2x Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Player of the Week (Nov. 28, 2023, Sept. 4, 2024)

Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week (Dec. 3, 2024)

2x East-West Shrine Bowl Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 3, 2024, Dec. 9, 2024)

Senior Bowl Co-Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 2, 2024)

Mountain West Championship Game Offensive MVP (2024)

7x Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 25, 2023, Sept. 2, 2024, Sept. 9, 2024, Sept. 30, 2024, Oct. 7, 2024, Oct. 15, 2024, Nov. 11, 2024)

9x Earl Campbell Tyler Rose National Player of the Week Honorable Mention (Sept. 26, 2023, Oct. 17, 2023, Oct. 1, 2024, Oct. 8, 2024, Oct. 15, 2024, Nov. 5, 2024, Nov. 12, 2024, Nov. 19, 2024, Dec. 3, 2024)

Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Finalist (2023)

College Football Network First Team All-America (2023)

ESPN First Team All-America (2023)

USA Today First Team All-America (2023)

Action Network Second Team All-America (2023)

Associated Press Second Team All-America (2023)

CBS Sports Honorable Mention All-America (2023)

Academic All-Mountain West (Fall 2023)

Associated Press Midseason First Team All-America (2023)

CBS Sports Midseason First Team All-America (2023)

ESPN Midseason First Team All-America (2023)

Maxwell Award Midseason Watch List (2023)

Doak Walker Honor Roll (Sept. 26, 2023)

College Football News Freshman All-Bowl Team (2022)

All-Mountain West Honorable Mention (2022)

Mountain West Freshman of the Week (Oct. 10, 2022)

SOPHOMORE (2023)
Honors: College Football Network First Team All-America…ESPN First Team All-America…USA Today First Team All-America…Action Network Second Team All-America…Associated Press Second Team All-America…CBS Sports Honorable Mention All-America…Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year…All-Mountain West First Team...Academic All-Mountain West...Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Finalist...Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Semifinalist...Associated Press Midseason First Team All-America…CBS Sports Midseason First Team All-America…ESPN Midseason First Team All-America…Maxwell Award Midseason Watch List…Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Player of the Week (Nov. 28)…Doak Walker Honor Roll (Sept. 26)…two-time Earl Campbell Tyler Rose National Player of the Week Honorable Mention (Sept. 26, Oct. 17)…Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 25).
Notable Statistics/Rankings: 159.67 yards from scrimmage per game (1st MW / 1st NCAA)…1,916 all-purpose yards (1st MW / 3rd NCAA)…569 receiving yards (1st among MW / NCAA RBs)…19 total touchdowns (2nd MW / 5th NCAA)…1,347 rushing yards (1st MW / 11th NCAA / 8th program history)…96 first downs (1st MW / 1st NCAA)…106 missed tackles forced (1st MW / 1st NCAA)…621 yards after catch (1st among MW / NCAA RBs)…94.8 PFF Offensive Grade (1st MW / 2nd NCAA)…only FBS player with multiple rushing touchdowns of 50+ yards and multiple receiving touchdowns of 50+ yards… first FBS player since 2019 to register 1,000 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards and first since 2016 to do it in a 10-game span…6.12 yards per carry (9th in program single-season history).
Top Highlights: Played in 12 games, starting 10…scored a rushing and receiving touchdown at Washington (Sept. 2)…totaled 212 all-purpose yards against UCF (Sept. 9)…ran for three touchdowns against North Dakota (Sept. 16)…recorded 254 all-purpose yards against San Diego State, including 205 on the ground (Sept. 22)…scored two rushing touchdowns and two receiving touchdowns at Memphis (Sept. 30)…ran for 167 yards against San Jose State, including a career-long 68-yard rush (Oct. 7)…matched his career-high with 254 all-purpose yards at Colorado State, running for a career-best 212 yards while scoring three touchdowns (Oct. 14)…tallied 107 rushing yards and 118 receiving yards against Air Force, becoming the first Bronco to reach 100 rushing yards and 100 receiving yards in a game since 2016 (Nov. 24)…rushed for 153 yards and a touchdown in the MW Championship win over UNLV (Dec. 2).

FRESHMAN (2022)
Honors: College Football News Freshman All-Bowl Team…All-Mountain West Honorable Mention…Mountain West Freshman of the Week (Oct. 10).
Notable Statistics/Rankings: 5.26 yards per carry (1st MW / 51st NCAA).
Top Highlights: Appeared in all 14 games, making two starts…amassed 821 yards rushing on 156 carries, marks that ranked second among all Broncos…averaged 5.3 yards per carry…added 157 yards receiving on 14 receptions…surpassed the 100-yard rushing mark twice, including a 109-yard game against Fresno State (Oct. 8) and a career-high 178-yard performance against North Texas in the Frisco Bowl (Dec. 17)…found the end zone in four-consecutive games, scoring a pair of touchdowns rushing against Fresno State (Oct. 8).

HIGH SCHOOL CAREER
Four-star recruit per 247Sports…three-star recruit per ESPN…rated No. 27 at his position nationally per 247Sports, and No. 91 per ESPN…rated as the No. 42 prospect in Texas per 247Sports…played on both sides of the ball in high school as a RB, WR, DE, OLB and S…in 12 games his senior season, Jeanty recorded 1,843 yards on 229 carries (8.0 yards/carry), and 810 yards on 41 receptions…scored 41 touchdowns (31 rushing, 10 receiving), averaging 20.5 points per game…named to the 2020 Texas District 5-5A D-I First Team as a wide receiver…named 2019 Texas District 5-5A D-I Defensive Newcomer of the Year…three-sport student-athlete, competing in football, basketball and track and field.

rushing
YPC	TD	YDS	CAR	LONG
5.3	7.0	826.0	157.0	34.0

receiving
REC	YPR	TD	LONG	YDS
14.0	11.1	0.0	42.0	155.0

fumbles
REC	LOST	FUM
0.0	1.0	1.0

kickReturns
LONG	YDS	NO	TD	AVG
22.0	22.0	1.0	0.0	22.0

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Height:	5-08
Weight:	207
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