No player has made more noise this season than Boise State Broncos RB Ashton Jeanty. While his play speaks for itself, one aspect has fans confused and caused viral memes: his backfield stance.
Why Does Ashton Jeanty Stand Up Straight in the Backfield?
Multiple images of Jeanty’s upright stance prior to the snap have taken the social media world by storm, with users comparing the Heisman hopeful to Halloween’s Michael Myers.
Ashton Jeanty’s stance has been a point of discussion but I think this is the funniest yet pic.twitter.com/Mn6THVxIKn
— Benjamin Hodge (@benjaminwhodge) October 11, 2024
However, those who have followed his football journey since starring at Lone Star High School in Frisco, Texas, know the stance is nothing new.
During a Zoom press conference on Wednesday, Oct. 23, Jeanty said it began in high school, although several coaches have attempted to persuade him to adopt a lower, more conventional position.
“One of my coaches used to say if you couldn’t stand in that stance for five minutes, then it’s probably not a good stance. So (it’s about) being relaxed and comfortable, and at that point, I’m just reading the defense and waiting for the ball to snap. I wouldn’t say there’s anything too specific about it, just that I’m relaxed and comfortable, and I’m just ready to make a play for my team.”
Broncos running backs coach James Montgomery touched on the matter during his availability, saying he doesn’t teach the stance but, “I just have a rule: If you don’t false step with your footwork, you can stand however you want. He likes to stand like that, so he can stand like that.”
Jeanty has since had fun with the comparisons to the horror icon, going as far as donning the Myers mask during Boise State’s bye week.
Ashton Jeanty dressing up as Michael Myers is a lot less menacing than him in a Boise State uniform pic.twitter.com/37ilosfE1c
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) October 18, 2024
“I’ve been having a little fun with the Michael Myers comparisons,” Jeanty said. “I think it’s really funny, and being the month of October and with Halloween coming up, I got to take advantage of that, for sure.”
Jeanty is the betting favorite to win the Heisman this season after compiling a 126-1,248-17 rushing line through just six games. He’s been held under 186 rushing yards just once, but it wasn’t because of the defense. The coaching staff pulled him at halftime against Portland State after he had already racked up 127 yards on 11 carries.
Being compared to Myers is cool and all, but being compared to a legend in your own sport just means more. Jeanty and former Oklahoma State Cowboys and Detroit Lions RB Barry Sanders have been linked all year, as the former is on pace to challenge the latter’s 1988 NCAA records for rushing yards (2,628) and TDs (37).
“It’s amazing. I’ve watched Barry Sanders all the time, Reggie Bush highlights all the time,” Jeanty said. “Those are some of the best to ever play the game. To be mentioned in the same sentence as them, that’s a dream come true as a running back.”
MORE: Simulate the College Football Season with CFN’s College Football Playoff Predictor
At this point, Jeanty isn’t just chasing history — he’s making his own.
College Football Network has you covered with the latest from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, and every Group of Five conference and FBS Independent program.