Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty posted video game numbers in Saturday's thrilling 56-45 victory over Georgia Southern. The playmaker rushed for 267 rushing yards and six (!) touchdowns. Jeanty began his mission toward being considered the top overall running back prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft.
VIDEO GAME NUMBERS FOR ASHTON JEANTY 🎮
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 1, 2024
He breaks Boise State's single-game rushing record with 267 yards in the season-opening win 😤 pic.twitter.com/Bg8X95er5g
Jeanty shattered the Broncos' all-time single-game rushing record in Week 1 of the new campaign. The Jacksonville, Florida native scored Boise State's first six touchdowns. Jeanty was completely unstoppable.
Jeanty’s first touchdown went for 77 yards for the contest’s opening score. The dual-threat back burst through a well-created hole up the middle before breaking several tackle attempts in the open field. Jeanty rushed for a 26-yard touchdown later that quarter.
Ashton Jeanty to the house! It’s a 77-yard TD and Boise State takes a 7-0 lead. pic.twitter.com/hy6MgHzQzv
— B.J. Rains (@BJRains) August 31, 2024
After Georgia Southern scored nine unanswered to open the second quarter, limiting Boise State’s lead to 14-9, Jeanty scored another two touchdowns to extend the Broncos’ advantage to 28-9. These touchdowns were goal-line scores from one and five yards out. Jeanty's versatility was displayed by scoring both explosive and short-distance touchdowns.
After the Eagles took a surprising 30-28 lead in the third quarter, Jeanty scored a one-yard touchdown, his fifth of the afternoon, to reinstate Boise's State advantage. Jeanty arguably enjoyed his biggest moment in the fourth quarter. With Georgia Southern now nursing a 37-35 lead, Jeanty exploded for a 75-yard scamper, his second 70-plus yard rushing touchdown, his sixth overall, giving Boise State a lead they'd never squander.
ASHTON JEANTY HAS SIX TOUCHDOWNS TODAY!!! pic.twitter.com/oK1XWaK0oX
— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) August 31, 2024
It was a dreamlike follow-up to a breakout 2023 campaign that saw Jeanty rush for 1,347 yards and 14 touchdowns en route to Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year honors. Jeanty averaged a personal-high 6.1 yards per carry for the Broncos offense last season. On Saturday, he averaged an unheard-of 13.4 yards per rushing attempt.
All of Jeanty's best-advertised traits were on display. Vision, footwork, patience, and excellent contact balance led to Saturday's performance. Jeanty's well-rounded skill set makes him an impactful, game-changing talent.
The 2025 NFL Draft running back class is shaping up to be outstanding. Jeanty should remain firmly in the conversation to be the first ball-carrier selected. Jeanty will face competition from a slew of fellow hopefuls, including Oklahoma State's Ollie Gordon II, who accumulated 104 rushing yards and two touchdowns in a blowout victory over South Dakota State on Saturday.
It won't be just a two-man race. Ohio State's Quinshon Judkins, who entered the season as our top-ranked back according to our Draft Network 100 rankings, rushed for 55 yards and a touchdown in a Week 1 win over Akron. Other impressive performances around college football saw Penn State's Nicholas Singleton rush for 114 yards and a score, and North Carolina's Omarion Hampton racked up 129 rushing yards in a nail-biting win over Minnesota.
Jeanty's performance in Saturday's win was historically impressive. College football is flushed with high-level ball carriers this season. There's an outstanding chance Jeanty will beat out his competitors to confirm RB1 rights in the 2025 NFL Draft.
