After posting 821 yards and seven touchdowns as a true freshman in 2022, Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty put himself on the national map in 2023. And now, he’s out to prove he’s the best running back in college football.
Ashton Jeanty Shares Lofty Goals at Mountain West Media Days
If there’s only one word to describe Jeanty’s 2023 campaign, it’s “elite.” The second-year back rushed for 1,347 yards and 14 TDs on 220 carries and took 43 receptions for 569 yards (most among FBS RBs) and five scores, highlighting his versatile skill set. But his dominance extends beyond box-score stats (all numbers from Boise State):
- Only FBS player with multiple rushing and receiving TDs of 50+ yards in 2023
- First FBS player since 2019 to register 1,000 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards in a single season
- 159.67 yards from scrimmage per game (1st MWC, 1st NCAA)
- 1,916 all-purpose yards (1st MWC, 3rd NCAA)
- 19 total touchdowns (2nd MWC, 5th NCAA)
- 96 first downs (1st MWC, 1st NCAA)
- 106 missed tackles forced (1st MWC, 1st NCAA)
As you’d imagine from such a performance, the accolades rolled in. Jeanty earned first-team All-American honors from ESPN, USA Today, and College Football Network, a place on the All-Mountain West first team, and won Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year.
When Jeanty committed to Boise State in 2021, he told Bronco Nation News, “I’m hoping to be the next great running back to come through Boise.” Another prolific season will do just that, but prolific isn’t a high enough goal for Jeanty. He spoke about reaching the elusive 2,000-yard mark while at Mountain West Media Days.
“I want to be the next best running back to come through here. And I think that’s one thing that will stamp me — certify me — as a legendary running back to come through Boise State.”
For those unfamiliar with the Broncos’ placement in the RBU conversation, here are some of the athletes who have toted the rock for the blue and orange: George Holani (2019-23), Alexander Mattison (2016-18), Jeremy McNichols (2014-16), Jay Ajayi (2012-14), Doug Martin (2007-11), Ian Johnson (2005-08), Brock Forsey (1999-2002), and Cedric Minter (1977-80).
Mattison (third round, 2019), McNichols (fifth, 2017), Ajayi (fifth, 2015), Martin (first round, 2012), and Forsey (sixth, 2003) were all selected in the NFL Draft, Minter and Johnson are the program’s top two leaders in both career rushing yards and TDs, and Holani likely would’ve heard his name called were it not for injuries and Jeanty’s presence.
But Jeanty isn’t just chasing those before him; he’s working to be the best in the nation. “There are a lot of great running backs in college football right now. That, to me, is more motivation. I feel like I’m the underdog,” he said. “I’ll prove I’m one of the best, if not the best.”
While that’s the case, Jeanty understands the team comes first and isn’t worried about winning awards, even the Heisman.
“It’s not the most important thing. With the team’s success, things like that come. If our team doesn’t handle business and win the games that we need to win, then all those awards and accolades won’t even come. I would love to win that award, but it’s not the most important thing for me.”
Jeanty committed to the Bronces as a four-star, top-200 recruit in the 2022 class. In his final season at Texas powerhouse Frisco Lone Star, he generated 2,600 total yards and 41 TDs, causing Boise State fans to worry about him flipping his commitment to a Power Five program, such as Cal and TCU, who made late pushes.
However, he stayed loyal until signing day, saying, “There were a few schools coming after me before, but I told them I’m 100 percent Boise.”
Jeanty actually didn’t know much about the Broncos’ history of productive backs in high school, but it didn’t take long for him to realize they’d be the right fit.
“I did my research, and it was amazing to see that, and I’m really happy that I could have a chance to go be the next great running back there. We have a great history, and I’m going to come in and hopefully (add to that) with more bowl games and winning seasons. It’s going to be a great three to four years.”
Well, it’s already been a great two years, and there likely won’t be a fourth. But there was concern Jeanty wouldn’t play his junior year in Boise after he grabbed the country’s attention. However, he announced he was returning to Boise State in December and explained his thought process:
“I was able to really sit down and really think about things. Not just the money, but every single detail. The common theme was this was the right place. The best opportunity was for me to stay here. … The money wasn’t everything for me. It was more about where my heart told me to go.
“An important thing to me is the impact I leave on people. The legacy that I’ll be able to leave here is something big, something huge. All the people’s lives that I can change, I couldn’t pass up on the opportunity.”
Not only is Jeanty in a position to leave a lasting impact on the program, but he’s also in a position to cement his 2025 NFL Draft stock, which, according to PFN NFL Draft Analyst Ian Cummings, is already in the first round.
“Entering the 2025 NFL Draft cycle, Jeanty grades out as a near blue-chip RB prospect, worthy of early-to-mid first-round capital. Though positional value may drop Jeanty to the late-first or early-second round, he’s a potentially special RB prospect with rare creative ability.”
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First-round running backs are a rarity these days, but Jeanty has the skill set to warrant such an investment from a franchise. And if he did hear his name called on Day 1, he’d be the Broncos first Round 1 selection since the Cowboys drafted LB Leighton Vander Esch in 2019.
Whether he achieves his goal of being a first-round pick or not, Jeanty is already well on his way to becoming a legendary figure in Boise State’s storied history of elite running backs.
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