Ashton Jeanty nearly captured the Heisman Trophy in 2024 after putting up incredible numbers in his final season with the Boise State Broncos.
Jeanty rushed for 2,601 yards, nearly eclipsing Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record of 2,628 yards for the former Oklahoma State standout. He also had 29 rushing touchdowns. The former Broncos running back had 4,769 rushing yards and 50 rushing touchdowns in 40 career games.
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Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty after the Fiesta Bowl against the Penn State Nittany Lions at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on December 31, 2024. (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
He accomplished the feat amid the name, image and likeness era of college athletics. The better a college athlete plays on the field, the more money they can have available through NIL deals. Jeanty’s NIL valuation was estimated at $1.6 million, according to On3 Sports.
Jeanty had NIL agreements with SAXX underwear and the Boise Hawks minor league baseball team. But he made it clear to anyone coming out of high school and expecting to get paid that they should really focus on their craft on the field rather than the money that comes with it.
“No. 1, don’t chase the bag,” he told Pak Gazette Digital when asked if he had any advice for high school athletes entering the college game. “Chase your goals and dreams. Everyone seems to get away from that. Three years ago I dreamed of being an NFL player, one of the best running backs. And I’m here walking into it because I didn’t chase. There were a lot of guys I’d seen win more money than me and I knew for a fact that they were no better than me. That was fine, but I knew that if I kept trying, I would make it where I want to be.
Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty takes off on November 23, 2024 in Laramie, Wyoming. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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“You have to trust the process because you can’t expect all that. There are no entitlements. You have to earn it. That’s the problem today. You may have done something in high school, but when you get to college that doesn’t No It means nothing. No matter how many stars you have, none of that. I’ve seen five stars that were garbage. I’ve seen three stars that were really good, and vice versa.
Jeanty said NIL in college football is kind of the “wild west,” so he had to adopt a professional mindset when navigating the murky waters.
“I think my whole focus was just being a professional,” he added. “Obviously, at the next level, I’m going to get paid, but I’m not looking for the biggest payday. Honestly, I need something, you know what I’m saying? My morals and my values are No. 1. Wherever I can align myself best, That’s where I’ll be.”
Heisman Trophy finalist Ashton Jeanty of Boise State speaks during a college football media availability on Dec. 13, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
Jeanty declared for the NFL Draft earlier this month. He is expected to be one of the first runners off the board.
