Ashton Jeanty took an unconventional path to college football. Now, he's about to take it by storm
Ashton Jeanty was always on the go. His father, Harry, was a military man, so Jeanty followed him wherever he was stationed — Virginia, Texas, Jacksonville, Fla., where he was born, and even Italy. He’s called many places “home.”
Jeanty’s father was stationed in Italy for three years, and trying to hone his football skills in a country that has little value towards the sport was challenging, to say the least. His only option was to play with an Italian-based squad against other military schools.
Put simply, the competition was lackluster.
Or maybe he was just that good.
Jeff Rayburn thought so.
Rayburn, head coach of the powerhouse Frisco Lone Star High School football team in Frisco, Texas, welcomed him with open arms. I mean, who wouldn’t? It’s not often a player with Jeanty’s skillset falls into a coach’s lap, and when they do, you shouldn’t question it. He certainly didn’t.
Jeanty wasn’t coming with much experience, just a Hudl highlight reel of his time giving the business to the Italians he faced for the past three years. But his sheer size and athleticism were plentiful for Rayburn. He saw what college football fans see now: A running back built like a Toyota 4Runner with jet-like acceleration.
The only problem was that Frisco Lone Star already had good running backs, so Jeanty was put on defense. He waited three years for his turn after playing outside linebacker and safety. But when he finally got his shot, the stats that ensued were purely absurd.
In 12 games his senior season, Jeanty recorded 1,843 yards on 229 carries (8.0 yards/carry), 810 yards on 41 receptions, and 41 total touchdowns (31 rushing, 10 receiving).
Jeanty is the booming Boise Bronco that many people don’t know
It’s OK if you don’t know who Ashton Jeanty is. Heck, I didn’t either until I did some more digging on the 2025 NFL Draft class. The Boise State Broncos don’t get nearly the amount of airtime time as Power 5 schools. But I’ll say this: Jeanty is must-watch TV.
In Boise, Idaho, Jeanty is preparing for the 2024-25 season. Coming off his best season in blue, rushing for 1,347 yards and 14 touchdowns on 227 carries while adding 569 yards and four more scores through the air, he’s got one thing in mind: rush for 2,000 yards. He even went as far as to make a bet with teammate Mason Randolph that if he does, he’ll cut his dreadlocks.
“It’ll make him block harder,” Jeanty laughed while talking to reporters.
Eclipsing 2,000 yards in a single season is a tough task to accomplish, but if he does, he’ll cement his name among a laundry list of CFB stars, many of which went on to have extremely successful NFL careers. That’s not the only thing he wants, though.
BSU has produced many successful running backs — Cedric Minter, Brock Forsey, Jay Ajayi, Jeremy McNichols, and Alexander Mattison. Jeanty wants the throne at the top of the list.
“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,” Jeanty said at Boise State’s media day.
Jeanty has the makings of a 2,000-yard rusher. The reigning Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year forced 106 missed tackles (1st in NCAA) last season and compiled 1,243 yards (1st in NCAA) after contact.
Jeanty is about to break out, more than he already has. You won’t want to miss it.
“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 told Boise State reporters. “I’ll prove I’m one of the best, if not the best.”