FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty. And check out our entire 2025 NFL Draft Guide.
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2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Ashton Jeanty
Ashton Jeanty (RB – Boise State)
5-foot-9 | 215 Pounds
Background
Grew up with a father on active duty as a Naval officer, so lived overseas at times early in his life before moving back to the U.S. to play high school football. Evaluations as a recruit ranged from two to four stars, but in any event, Ashton Jeanty complemented George Holani as a freshman, rushing for a line of 156- 821-7 (5.3).
Jeanty took over the starting running back job the following year, finishing with 220-1,347-14 (6.1) and 43-569-5 (13.2) receiving. He won the Maxwell Award and Doak Walker Award this past season and finished as the Heisman Trophy runner-up after a monster year — 374-2,601-29 (7.0) — which was good for the second-best single-season rushing total in FBS history behind Barry Sanders.
Positives
Coming off of one of the best running back seasons in college football history, with big leaps in output from year to year throughout his career. Solidly built, scheme-versatile prospect coming from an offense that was very balanced between zone and in-line calls, and which he was the focal point of. Instincts are outstanding. Very decisive back with excellent vision; commits almost instantly when his first read is there, but also quickly recognizes opportunities to cut back or bounce runs outside.
Jeanty knows how to use patience/tempo to let rushing lanes materialize. Runs with solid acceleration/burst between the tackles. Easily has the speed to win the edge on outside attempts. Has plenty of wiggle and lateral quickness to make defenders miss in a phone booth. Fast enough to hit home runs when he finds a lane. Plays with a low center of gravity as a result of his height and knee bend. He doesn’t shy away from contact. Has a very impressive balance to pinball off of opponents and stay upright or pick up a few extra yards. Uses a violent stiff arm near the sidelines and can physically overpower many defensive backs.
Finishes his runs by delivering shots to opposing defenders and showing the ability to consistently fall forward, with very good leg drive after contact. Protects the football with both hands when working through congestion. Reliable receiver who the team schemed touches in the passing game for, lining him up in the slot at times. Has the vision and agility to find creases and weave through traffic for big chunks of yardage. Alert in pass protection.
Negatives
Jeanty has a significant amount of tread after touching the ball nearly four hundred times this past season, which could create concerns about his long-term durability. Will be making a somewhat sizable leap up in the week-to-week level of competition he’s facing. Physical and athletic tools are very solid, but not quite elite. Not quite as consistent a gainer as some of the other backs in the class, relying on huge plays to make up for some in which he’s stopped at the line.
Ball security has been pretty good, but has fumbled at a slightly higher rate than many of the other top backs in the class (10 fumbles on 748 career attempts). More experienced than some of the other top backs in blitz pickup, but lapses into throwing a shoulder. Effectiveness there can suffer as a result.
Summary
Jeanty proved he’s the total package this past season, with an unbelievable combination of vision, patience, creativity, agility, power, balance and speed that nearly allowed him to break Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record.
Can fit in any offensive scheme, but might be best in a scheme that runs a relatively high amount of outside zone to maximize his home-run hitting ability. After a year in which he dazzled viewers with a nonstop succession of dominant highlights, Jeanty should be a lock for the first round, potentially going in the top half of the frame. Projects as a long-term, every-down feature back who should make an immediate impact.
Projection: Round 1
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Skattebo was one of the most productive and exciting players in college football this past season. He combined a natural feel for the position, smooth running skills, a tough and physical temperament and exceptional contact balance, culminating in well over 2,000 total yards on the season.
There’s not a whole lot to critique about his game, besides his lack of ideal explosiveness and long speed. Otherwise, Skattebo has the look of a potential every-down back in the league or at least the power back in a one-two punch. Could get some second-day looks.
Projection: Round 3/Round 4
Check out the full 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Cam Skattebo
A fast, agile back with good burst and excellent open-field running skills, Neal functioned as a workhorse for the Jayhawks but might be more of a change-of-pace back at the next level, as he may struggle to grind out tough yardage between the tackles as a pro.
Neal’s snaps were relatively balanced throughout his career (more gap until this past season, then a little bit more zone), but might be better suited to a zone-blocking scheme where he’s able to stretch defenses out and cut upfield when he sees daylight. Probably more of a mid-round option.
Projection: Round 5
Check out the full 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Devin Neal
More 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Reports for Running Backs
- Dylan Sampson (Tennessee)
- DJ Giddens (Kansas State)
- Jordan James (Oregon)
- Bhayshul Tuten (Virginia Tech)
- Brashard Smith (SMU)
- Damien Martinez (Miami)
- Jarquez Hunter (Auburn)
- Kalel Mullings (Michigan)
- LeQuint Allen Jr. (Syracuse)
- Raheim Sanders (South Carolina)
- Phil Mafah (Clemson)
- Tahj Brooks (Texas Tech)
- Trevor Etienne (Georgia)
- TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State)
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