Boise State has something special under its belt despite not being ranked. The program is home to running back Ashton Jeanty, who is completely dominating the college football landscape through the first two weeks.
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In a game against No. 7 Oregon where Boise State nearly pulled off the upset, Jeanty showed the world exactly what he's capable of for anyone who was doubting him during his season-opening six-touchdown performance against Georgia Southern.
This second-quarter run highlights the unique skill set he has and is why NFL scouts are salivating about his potential at the pro level. Despite an Oregon defender busting the play open, he has the strength to slip through the would-be tackler, delivers more power to break out of two more tackles, and then has the elusiveness and vision to bounce it outside and bust through for a 25-plus yard run.
Not sure Ashton Jeanty has ever gone down on first contact in his life. Just absurd contact balance - looks like prime Maurice Jones-Drew. Best running back in the country pic.twitter.com/zY9QLwxoKE
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) September 8, 2024
Jeanty, who is a native of Jacksonville before moving to Texas and attending Lone Star High School, now sits at 459 rushing yards and nine touchdowns through the first two games of the season. He's making an unlikely push for the Heisman, potentially vaulting himself as the early frontrunner. His Heisman odds remain a longshot at +4000 on FanDuel, but he has a chance to keep climbing that ladder. Texas' Quinn Ewers is currently the betting favorite. In order for a running back to come away with the hardware, it takes a certain level of "video game-esque" numbers to do so, but Jeanty is so far doing just that.
He became the first player to rush for more than 175 yards vs. Oregon since 2020, and the first to do it in Eugene since 2016.
"They're one of the best rushing defenses in the entire country for a reason," said Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson according to The Idaho Statesman. "But you can see who Ashton is. No matter the spotlight, no matter the game, he's going to execute; that's who he is."
Ashton Jeanty is a Heisman favorite (@BoiseStateFB)
PFF's 2025 NFL draft rankings currently has Jeanty at No. 11 on the big board and as the top running back prospect, ahead of the likes of Oklahoma State's Ollie Gordon II and Ohio State's TreVeyon Henderson. The 20-year-old junior is listed at 5-foot-9 and 215 pounds.
Related: No. 5 Ranked Notre Dame Paid $1.4 Million To Lose Against Northern Illinois
