Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty made sure to credit his teammates in a humble interview after a record-breaking performance against Oregon State.
Jeanty had one final game to justify why he should beat Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter to the Heisman Trophy and rushed for 226 yards and a touchdown in a 34-18 win against the Beavers. In doing so, he set the Mountain West Conference single-season rushing record and also broke the Boise State single-season scrimmage yards record.
After the game, FOX Sports reporter Josh Sims asked Jeanty what it meant to set another record, and the Broncos running back was quick to refocus his attention on his teammates. “First of all, I gotta give all glory to God,” Jeanty said.
“But it felt amazing man. Not only just for me but for the team. The personal success that I have doesn’t come anywhere just from me. It comes from team success, and great offensive play and defensive play.”
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Unfortunately for Jeanty, his Heisman rival also had a stunning game on Friday as Hunter had 116 yards and three touchdowns in a 52-0 win over Oklahoma State. The Buffaloes dual-threat talent also recorded his third interception of the season, and lined up for 114 snaps during the game.
Hunter’s performance may have sealed the Heisman Trophy, as sportsbooks have set the Colorado star as a major favorite to win the coveted award. Hunter has 1,036 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns this season, but his status as one of the top seniors in two different positions has boosted his chances.
In any other year, it’s likely that Jeanty would win the Heisman Trophy, as he’s amassed 2,288 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns in the regular season. Jeanty’s stats have been more impressive than Derrick Henry’s standout year for Alabama in 2015, which saw him crowned the Heisman winner.
In Henry’s memorable year, he had 1,986 yards off 339 carries for 23 touchdowns in 13 games, but Jeanty has bettered him in every department. The Boise State running back has played just 11 games this season and has reached his totals despite carrying the ball 64 times less than Henry did.
While it remains to be seen whether Jeanty will see his season rewarded with an individual honor, he will enter the 2025 NFL Draft as the top running back in his class. There’s not been this much hype about a running back since Henry, although in the 2016 NFL Draft, he was the second running back selected after the Dallas Cowboys used their first-round pick on Ezekiel Elliott.
Most draft experts are predicting that Jeanty will be a top-ten pick, with some suggesting he could move into the top five. A top-ten pick would secure another Boise State record for Jeanty, as tackle Ryan Clady has the highest selection in program history after being taken 12th overall by the Denver Broncos in 2008.
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