There are only two ways to describe Ashton Jeanty’s play this season, and they both begin with the letter H: Historic and Heisman-worthy.
His numbers are more than video game-esque — so much so that EA Sports College Football 25 had to raise his overall rating to reflect his dominance.
Ashton Jeanty Now the Top RB in College Football 25
Jeanty entered the year at 92 overall — now, he’s a 96, making him the third-highest-rated player in the game, just behind Michigan CB Will Johnson (97) and Colorado CB/WR Travis Hunter (97).
The Boise State RB now sits one point ahead of Ohio State’s Quinshon Judkins and Oklahoma State’s Ollie Gordon, the latter of which saw his rating drop, allowing Jeanty to sit on the throne.
Yet, there’s a case to be made that Jeanty should be rated even higher — and it’s a strong one.
In four games (he only played the first half against Portland State), Jeanty has generated 845 yards and 31 touchdowns on 82 carries. That’s a brain-numbing 10.3 yards — more than a first down — per carry.
Not only are Jeanty’s 845 rushing yards more than 90 FBS teams, but if the Broncos are able to secure a Mountain West Championship berth and earn a spot in the expanded College Football Playoff, he is on pace to record the first-ever 3,000-yard season in the history of the sport.
On the topic of records, Barry Sanders is likely shivering in his boots, as his historic 1988 campaign (NCAA-leading 2,628 yards and 37 TDs) is in jeopardy.
Jeanty kicked off the year with one of the best season-opening performances of all time, rumbling for 267 yards and six scores against Georgia Southern. Then, he nearly single-handedly upset No. 7 ranked Oregon, racking up another 192 yards and three TDs.
Following the Week 3 bye, Jeanty picked up where he left off, dropping 127 yards in the first half against Portland State before producing 259 yards and four TDs in a 56-24 win over then-undefeated Washington State.
It’s not as if Jeanty is running through craters, either. His 588 yards after contact would rank sixth in the nation, and his 43 forced missed tackles lead all FBS players.
Although the rise of the passing attack has led to a near-decade-long drought of RBs winning the Heisman, Jeanty’s +800 odds at DraftKings trail only Miami QB Cam Ward (+600), Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter (+360), and Alabama QB Jalen Milroe (+280).
At Mountain West Media Days this summer, Jeanty was asked about challenging for the prestigious award, to which he responded:
“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.”
While remaining humble, he also mentioned that surpassing the 2,000-yard threshold was a goal this season, believing that doing so would “stamp me — certify me — as a legendary running back to come through Boise State.” But more than that, Jeanty was out to prove he isn’t just another productive collegiate rusher.
“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. I’ll prove I’m one of the best, if not the best.”
This wasn’t arrogant talk, as Jeanty already walked the walk the year prior. In 2023, the Boise State back bowled over opponents to the tune of 1,916 all-purpose yards (3rd), 19 total TDs (5th), and 159.67 yards from scrimmage per game (1st), which were all top-five marks in the NCAA.
As you’d expect, the accolades rolled in, including first-team All-Mountain West, Conference Offensive Player of the Year, and consensus All-American recognition.
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From Florida (born in Jacksonville) to Texas (played high school football in Frisco) to Idaho, Jeanty’s journey has been jubilant. Next up? New York for the Heisman ceremony and Wisconsin for the NFL Draft.
But before any of that, Jeanty is focused on powering Boise State to a championship run and proving he’s not just a player to watch but a force to be reckoned with.
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