Ashton Jeanty Draws Hall of Fame Grade in 2025 NFL Draft

Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty is only the third prospect I’ve ever given this kind of grade to pre-draft.

The other two were the Eagles’ defensive tackle Jalen Carter (2023) and the Raiders’ tight end, Brock Bowers (2024).

So what is it that has me this excited about Jeanty?

Rare determination

Phenomenal contact Balance

Add in the fact he’s a power runner as well as a home-run hitter.

Yahtzee!

However, that’s not all folks. There’s one singular trait that will land him in Canton Ohio one day.

Selflessness

This is it ⎯the most important trait in team sports and Jeanty has it. He’s as selfless as they come. Jeanty puts his team first. This dominant trait showed up in his decision to remain at Boise State after putting up 1,347 yards in 2023, instead of being tempted elsewhere by greener pastures.

Jeanty will slam into the line of scrimmage as many times as his coach calls his number and he’s the kind of football player who sacrifices himself for his teammates.

My kind of guy.

Sure, the highlights were great and all, but it’s not the game-breaking runs that sold me. What did it for me was seeing Jeanty stay in on passing plays and block with the same all-out effort level as he gives running the ball.

The Jeanty effect

What did Jeanty mean to Boise State quarterback Maddux Madson?

“Madsen’s 22-to-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio. That’s the fewest number of interceptions thrown among FBS quarterbacks with at least 300 attempts in 2024,” according to The Salt Lake Tribune heading into the Fiesta Bowl.

What will Jeanty mean to an NFL team?

It’s no coincidence that quarterbacks Jalen Hurts (Eagles) and Lamar Jackson (Ravens) have enjoyed the highest passing ratings of their careers in 2024 per ESPN. The Eagles and Ravens have the top two rushers in the league, Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry.

Finally, runningbacks are trending 📈

Having backs like Barkley, Henry, and Jeanty makes an offense two-dimensional. It opens up the passing game ⎯and makes defenses more ‘honest.’ When quarterbacks go “play-action,” it actually makes them think, and a split-second advantage is all an offense needs to gain leverage on a play.

Red light 🚦

There is only one thing that can put the brakes on Jeanty: Defenders getting to him before he gets going.

Jeanty accelerates quickly building momentum as he gets going. However, he runs erect, he runs high and defenders consistently had success stopping him by making a concerted gang-tackling effort, or by taking him on ‘high-to-waist level’ (and avoiding getting run over by his powerful tree trunk legs).

Other than that, good luck.

Watching Jeanty run is like watching a giant taking a bowling ball, placing it in a slingshot, and shooting it at the line of scrimmage.

#2 Ashton Jeanty 5-foot-9, 215 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Final 2025 NFL Draft Grade: First-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 73.0% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of January 30, 2025 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

Ashton Jeanty: WOW (2023: 10 games evaluated)

2024 game film evaluated: Georgia Southern, Oregon, Washington State, Utah State, Hawai’i, UNLV, San Diego State, Nevada, San Jose State, Wyoming, Oregon State, UNLV, and Penn State (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2024 stats: 374 carries for 2,601 yards (7.0 avg.), 29 TD, long-77 yards. 23 receptions, 138 yards (6.0 avg.), 1 TD, long-18 yards

Ashton Jeanty background: (by staff writer Victoria Jonach)

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Muscular and stout punishing back with a low center of gravity. Magnetized by open space. Unquenchable appetite for yardage. High energy violent slashing style. Uses vision and instincts to squeeze every inch out of a run. Patient. Chips away until he breaks the ice. Quick reflexes. Can jump cut and make defenders miss. Uses a stiff arm to win the edges. Once out in the open, he’s even harder to stop due to his speed, awesome determination, and balance. End zone minded. Home-run hitting speed. Not a fumbler. Gets better as the game goes on. Dependable hands as a receiver.

Final words

Jeanty’s selflessness, determination, and defensive style of running remind me of Walter Payton. He’s my comp for Jeanty.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.