Ashton Jeanty, the standout running back from Boise State, has emerged as one of the most exciting prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft. His exceptional 2024 season, which saw him break numerous records and come close to Barry Sanders‘ historic rushing mark, has solidified his position as the top running back in this draft class.
2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Ashton Jeanty
Physical Attributes
Standing at 5’9″ and weighing 215 lbs, Jeanty possesses a compact, powerful build ideal for the running back position. His 4.42 40-yard dash time demonstrates excellent speed, allowing him to break away from defenders in the open field.
Production and Accolades
Jeanty’s college career, particularly his junior season in 2024, was nothing short of phenomenal:
– 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns in 2024
– Led FBS in rushing yards and yards from scrimmage
– Runner-up for the Heisman Trophy
– Winner of the Maxwell Award and Doak Walker Award
– Unanimous All-American selection
– Two-time Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year (2023, 2024)
Strengths
Vision and Instincts: Jeanty displays outstanding vision as a runner, consistently finding and exploiting gaps in the defense. His instincts allow him to anticipate cutback lanes and make quick decisions at the line of scrimmage.
Contact Balance: Perhaps Jeanty’s most impressive trait is his exceptional contact balance. He has a rare ability to absorb hits and maintain his footing, often pinballing off tackle attempts to gain additional yardage.
Power: Despite his relatively smaller stature, Jeanty runs with impressive power. He consistently falls forward and fights for extra yards after contact.
Explosiveness: Jeanty’s combination of speed and acceleration makes him a home-run threat on any given play. He has the burst to hit holes quickly and the long speed to outrun defenders in the open field.
Versatility: While primarily known for his rushing ability, Jeanty has shown potential as a receiver out of the backfield. In 2023, he accumulated 569 receiving yards, the most of any running back in the nation.
Weaknesses
Pass Protection: While Jeanty’s willingness to block is not in question, his technique and effectiveness in pass protection may need refinement at the next level.
Workload Concerns: Jeanty’s heavy usage in college, particularly in 2024 (374 carries), may raise questions about his long-term durability in the NFL.
Limited Receiving Production in 2024: Despite showing promise as a receiver in 2023, Jeanty’s receiving numbers dipped in 2024 (23 catches for 138 yards). He may need to prove he can be a consistent three-down back at the NFL level.
NFL Projection
Jeanty projects as an immediate impact player in the NFL. His combination of vision, contact balance, and explosiveness should translate well to the professional level. He has the potential to be a feature back in a variety of offensive systems, but may be particularly well-suited for a downhill, power-running scheme.
While some analysts debate the value of selecting a running back early in the draft, Jeanty’s exceptional production and skill set make him a strong candidate for a top-10 selection. His ability to create yards after contact and break big plays could make him an offensive centerpiece for years to come.
Jeanty’s ideal NFL fit would be with a team that emphasizes the running game and can utilize his skills in both the rushing and passing attacks. The Los Angeles Chargers, under new head coach Jim Harbaugh‘s power scheme, have been mentioned as a potential landing spot that could maximize Jeanty’s talents.
Conclusion
Ashton Jeanty enters the 2025 NFL Draft as the consensus top running back prospect. His record-breaking college career, highlighted by a near-historic 2024 season, has scouts and analysts buzzing about his potential impact at the professional level. While the positional value of running backs in the modern NFL is often debated, Jeanty’s exceptional skill set and production make him a rare prospect worthy of early first-round consideration.
With his combination of vision, contact balance, power, and explosiveness, Jeanty has the tools to become a franchise-altering player for the team that selects him. As the NFL continues to cycle back towards emphasizing the run game, a player of Jeanty’s caliber could prove invaluable in both the short and long term.
As the draft approaches, Jeanty’s stock will likely continue to rise. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, he is poised to be one of the first names called on draft night, potentially becoming Boise State’s first first-round selection since 2018.
