LAS VEGAS — Ashton Jeanty had an interesting journey as he transitioned into the NFL after being selected 6th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders.
Jeanty did not grow up in the spotlight. Unlike many athletes, he wasn't a five-star recruit everyone talked about in high school, but that never bothered him. Jeanty wasn't seeking attention; he was focused on pursuing greatness. He attended Boise State after playing high school football at Lone Star High School in Frisco, Texas. Jeanty's journey to the NFL was different from that of many other players in the draft.
Jeanty's father, Harry Jeanty, is a Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy. After completing middle school in Virginia, he moved to Europe, where he played his freshman year at Naples High School. This school primarily serves the children of military families stationed in Naples, Italy.
After a successful stint overseas, Jeanty shared his desire to return to the United States and continue his high school football career with his parents. It was only a matter of time before his talent would be showcased in the U.S., as he aimed to pursue a college football career. While attending Lone Star High School, some scholarship offers started to come in, and he ultimately decided to attend Boise State.
He chose Boise State, where he broke records and finished as the Heisman Trophy runner-up, ultimately becoming the highest-drafted player in the history of the school. However, Boise State recognized what others overlooked: a spark in the young running back from Lone Star High School—a player who was more focused on results than on headlines.
As a freshman at Boise State, Jeanty quickly demonstrated his capability. He ran with confidence, breaking tackles, catching passes, and doing whatever his team needed. Jeanty began to shine across the country in 2024 as he opened the season with a performance for the ages.
In the game against Georgia Southern, Jeanty broke a 46-year-old Boise State single-game record with 267 yards and six touchdowns. He reflects on this experience as one of the biggest moments of his college career.
“Once the game got over, my phone blowing up and I'm all over ESPN,” Jeanty said. “That's when it really hit me.”
Jeanty realized the significance of all the effort he had invested to make a mark in College Football.
As the NFL combine approached, it appeared that Jeanty's stock was rising, with the Raiders being a team that might consider selecting him as a running back. Jeanty had a “very good feeling” that he could be headed to Las Vegas.
Growing up, Jeanty admired the NFL, closely following the Seattle Seahawks, especially their star running back Marshawn Lynch and head coach Pete Carroll.
“I like a lot of different teams and players,” Jeanty said. “I was really a bandwagon on whoever was good that year. The earliest was the seahawks when they were making their runs, they went to the Super Bowl and for the running backs, Marshawn Lynch was going crazy.”
A decade later, Carroll is now the head coach of the Raiders, who drafted Jeanty in the first round during his first season with the team. Carroll signed a three-year deal with a fourth year option to coach the Raiders after the firing of Antonio Pierce.
Jeanty’s relationship with Carroll has begun to grow as they build something special in Las Vegas.
“It’s great man, he brings juice, energy, every single day,” Jeanty said. “At his age, to bring that level of juice? You can see the lever of passion that he has for coaching this game. Who wouldn't wanna play for a coach like that.”
As Jeanty begins his rookie season with the Raiders, he has a few goals and is looking forward in making the playoffs, playing in January and February. Team success is a priority for Jeanty as he strives for greatness.
“Most importantly, leading and helping the team win,” Jeanty said.
From Frisco to Boise, Ashton Jeanty’s journey to the NFL was not based on hype, but on determination and heart. Now, as the Raider Nation chants his name and defenses gear up for his powerful playing style, Jeanty runs with not only strength but also a sense of purpose.