Latest news with #MountainWestOffensivePlayeroftheYear
NBC Sports
22-05-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Maxx Crosby: Ashton Jeanty is a hell of a worker, hell of a player
Count Maxx Crosby among the players who are excited to see what running back Ashton Jeanty can do. After Wednesday's OTA practice, the Raiders' star defensive end was asked about his impression of the No. 6 overall pick in this year's draft and told reporters that Jeanty has been 'awesome.' 'Ashton is a great kid,' Crosby said in his press conference. 'I've been able to know him before he got drafted here. ... But he's a great kid, humble kid, I think — just the fact that a kid like him could have went anywhere in the country and decided to stay at Boise State and go out there and have the best year at running back, I think, arguably, he ever had. But just shows the testament to the type of person he is. 'So, it's been awesome. It's only been a couple weeks with him, but I love the kid. He's a hell of a worker, hell of a player, and excited to be teammates with him.' Jeanty won several national awards for his outstanding 2024 season at Boise State, also earning Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2023 and 2024. He has a chance to make a significant impact as a rookie with a revamped Las Vegas offense under head coach Pete Carroll and coordinator Chip Kelly.
Fox Sports
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Raiders' Ashton Jeanty: OC Chip Kelly wants me to get rid of 'Halloween' stance
The Las Vegas Raiders see a star in rookie running back Ashton Jeanty, but offensive coordinator Chip Kelly wants to see the Boise State standout shine with some changes to his game, which he depicted to the running back by having him act as an on-ball defender in basketball. "Sometimes you have to, you know, go with the flow. Chip Kelly, he comes up to me on the first day of minicamp, and he's like 'You ever play basketball?' I'm like, 'Yeah, I play basketball. You know, I can dunk and all that.' He's like, 'OK, show me how you would guard me,' and he's acting like he's holding the ball. … 'that's exactly why you have to be down in your running back stance," Jeanty told Up & Adams about what Kelly told him. In the past, Jeanty had stood up straight when lined up in the backfield before the ball was snapped. Jeanty deemed it the "Halloween" stance because people repeatedly said that he looks like the character "Michael Myers" – who murders multiple people in the slasher horror series – in the backfield. For what it's worth, Detroit Lions running back and two-time Pro Bowler Jahmyr Gibbs has a similar stance where he's primarily standing straight up when lined up in the backfield. Jeanty added that Kelly had "won, for now" and that he was "going to try and persuade him one day" but also that he has "to earn" his "stripes" in the NFL first — all with a smile on his face. "I don't think it's going to be the end [of the stance]," Jeanty said. Jeanty, a two-time Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year and a one-time All-American, had an otherworldly junior season at Boise State, which went 12-2 and reached the College Football Playoff quarterfinal round. Rushing for a college football-best 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns — which led all running backs — Jeanty was the runner-up to Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter for the 2024 Heisman Trophy Award. Jeanty joins a Raiders team that was last in the NFL in rushing last season (79.8 rushing yards per game). They also added 2023 Pro Bowler Raheem Mostert, who led the NFL with 18 rushing touchdowns in said season, and still have running back Zamir White, who flashed some promise down the stretch of the 2023 season (451 rushing yards on 4.3 yards per carry). As for the rest of its 2025 draft class, Las Vegas selected TCU wide receiver Jack Bech (pick No. 58), Iowa State cornerback Darien Porter (pick No. 68) and offensive linemen Caleb Rogers (pick No. 98) and Charles Grant (pick No. 99), among other players. The Raiders are entering their first season with former Tampa Bay Buccaneers assistant general manager John Spytek as their general manager and former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll as their head coach. Meanwhile, Kelly — who was the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles (2013-15) and San Francisco 49ers (2016) — comes to the Raiders after helping Ohio State win the College Football Playoff National Championship as its offensive coordinator last season. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience National Football League Las Vegas Raiders Ashton Jeanty recommended Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more in this topic
Fox Sports
18-04-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
NFL player comps for top 2025 draft prospects: Abdul Carter the next Micah Parsons?
The latest crop of college stars are about to embark on the NFL. With the pre-draft evaluation process all but wrapped up ahead of Thursday's first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, let's get to know some of the top prosects available by identifying which NFL player is their best comparison. Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado (6-1, 188) Pro comp: Justin Jefferson/Trevon Diggs It is rare to have a prospect with All-Pro potential at multiple positions, but Hunter is unlike any prospect we have seen in the modern era. The Heisman Trophy winner is a scoring machine who flashes big-play potential whenever he touches the ball. Given his playmaking skills as a defender, teams would be wise to invest in the football version of Shohei Ohtani on draft day. Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State (6-3, 250) Pro comp: Micah Parsons The All-American sack artist is an explosive edge rusher with rare speed, power and athleticism. Carter breezes past blockers, utilizing various finesse maneuvers to win from the edges. As teams look for defensive players with the potential to create big plays all over the field, the Penn State star could tilt the field with his playmaking skills. Cam Ward, QB, Miami (6-2, 219) Pro comp: Steve McNair The silky-smooth signal-caller oozes swagger as a talented playmaker with the tools, toughness and tenacity to take the league by storm. Ward's alpha dawg temperament could spark an immediate cultural change for any franchise that selects him to handle the QB1 duties for the next decade. Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State (6-6, 256) Pro comp: George Kittle The former high school quarterback has transformed into an unstoppable offensive weapon as a "Y" tight end with unique talents as a playmaker. Warren's versatility, toughness and route-running skills overwhelm opponents ill-equipped to deal with a 6-foot-5, 256-pounder with an old-school game and throwback mentality. Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State (5-9, 211) Pro comp: Frank Gore After nearly eclipsing Barry Sanders' single-season rushing record, Jeanty is poised to set the NFL on fire as a dynamic workhorse runner with exceptional balance, body control and burst. The two-time Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year is a threat to score whenever he touches the ball, yet also displays the competitive stamina to handle the heavy workload expected of a feature back. With an electrifying game and old-school approach, Jeanty could quickly become a superstar as a pro. Mason Graham, DT, Michigan (6-4, 296) Pro comp: Christian Wilkins The All-American is a "hard-hat-and-lunch pail" defender with heavy hands and a high-revving motor. Graham outworks and outlasts defenders at the line of scrimmage, utilizing various power-based maneuvers to whip opponents on crucial downs. As a relentless competitor with a blue-collar mentality and blue-chip traits, the Michigan standout is a disruptive force at the point of attack. Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado (6-2, 212) Pro comp: Jared Goff The flamboyant persona and eye-popping bling might rub some evaluators the wrong way, but traditionalists should love Sanders' classic, drop-back game. The Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year is a "dime dropper" who displays outstanding touch, timing and anticipation as a pocket passer. Though he lacks elite arm talent, Sanders' high IQ and quick processing skills enable him to play at an elite level despite his deficiencies. Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia (6-1, 243) Pro comp: Roquan Smith The hybrid defender, with sideline-to-sideline range and dynamic pass-rushing skills, is a destructive force with splash-play potential. Walker's disruptive impact potential as an off-ball linebacker and pass-rushing specialist makes him a unique defensive talent to build around. With few "true" linebackers possessing Walker's versatility and big-play ability, the Georgia standout is a unicorn at the position. Will Johnson, CB, Michigan (6-2, 194) Pro comp: Jaycee Horn The playmaking cover corner is a natural ball hawk with the instincts, awareness and ball skills to pick off passes at a high rate. As a "pick-six" machine with outstanding vision and explosive transitions, Johnson is a "see ball, get ball" defender ideally suited to playing in a zone-based scheme. Given his impressive takeaway prowess and solid fundamentals, the Michigan product is an All-Pro waiting to emerge at the next level. Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina (6-0, 221) Pro comp: Joe Mixon The two-time All-ACC performer posted back-to-back 1,500-yard rushing seasons, exhibiting outstanding balance, body control and burst rumbling between the tackles. As a power runner with pitter-pat and wiggle, Hampton is a rare find as a big back who can win with force or finesse in the hole. With the second-team All-American also displaying soft hands and underrated receiving skills, the 2025 class could produce another superstar at the position. Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss (6-4, 296) Pro comp: Ed Oliver As an urgent athlete with violent hands and a high-revving motor, Nolen is a disruptive force at the point of attack. He creates chaos on passing downs with a "bull in a china shop" approach that mixes physicality and finesse to overwhelm blockers. Given his sack production (11.5 career sacks over three seasons) and run-stopping prowess (25 career tackles for loss), the former five-star and No. 1 overall high school recruit could emerge as a big-play specialist at the next level. Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State (6-1, 202) Pro comp: Amon-Ra St. Brown The ultra-smooth playmaker could terrorize opponents from the slot or out wide as a lead receiver. Egbuka's impeccable timing and wiggle as a route runner will make it easy for an offensive coordinator to come up with creative ways to get him the ball on the perimeter. As more teams feature "inside-out" passing games with slot receivers featured prominently in the game plan, the Ohio State standout is perfectly suited for a lead role in a pass-heavy scheme. Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina (6-4, 220) Pro comp: Kam Chancellor The extra-large defensive back is part punisher and part playmaker as a combo safety who is comfortable playing in the box or as a roaming centerfielder in the deep middle. Emmanwori's exceptional size, athleticism, instincts and ball skills make him the prototypical safety that defensive coordinators covet in the middle of the field. Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss (6-3, 223) Pro comp: Jalen Hurts As a dual-threat quarterback with big-time arm talent and rugged running skills, Dart tests the discipline and awareness of opposing defenses. The Ole Miss product expanded Lane Kiffin's playbook while showcasing a dynamic game that piques the interest of creative offensive play-callers looking to build around a new school playmaker with pocket skills and some pizzazz. Luther Burden, III, WR, Missouri (6-0, 206) Pro comp: Deebo Samuel The dynamic "catch-and-run" playmaker is a multi-purpose threat on the perimeter, possessing the speed, quickness and burst to turn the corner on defenses with crossing routes, bubble screens and jet sweeps. Burden's explosive running skills complement a rock-solid game rooted in flawless fundamentals (route-running and pass-catching). As an electric playmaker with the potential to score from anywhere on the field, the Missouri standout is the offensive weapon every offense needs in the stable. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona (6-5, 219) Pro comp: Mike Evans The acrobatic pass catcher is a nightmarish matchup due to his exceptional size, leaping ability and ball skills. McMillan dominates defenders in jump ball situations, exhibiting NBA-like ball skills on lob passes. His ability to win repeatedly on "50-50" balls makes him nearly impossible to guard on back-shoulder throws along the boundary and end line. In a league where points are coveted at a premium, McMillan is the above-the-rim scorer every offense needs. Bucky Brooks is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports. He also breaks down the game for NFL Network and as a cohost of the "Moving the Sticks" podcast. Follow him on Twitter @BuckyBrooks. recommended Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Fox Sports
04-04-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Ashton Jeanty is a 'can't-miss' star. Here are his best fits in the 2025 NFL Draft
The NFL's running back renaissance has led to a greater appreciation for elite backs in the 2025 NFL Draft. While skeptics still debate the merits of taking a running back in the first round, the success of recent first-rounders such as Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs should encourage more team builders to invest in blue-chip prospects at the position. With the 2025 class featuring a "can't-miss" star in Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, the NFL scouting community could see another runner come off the board with a top-10 pick reflecting his game-changer potential. After taking some time to study the game-changing back with 4,769 rushing yards and 50 rushing touchdowns over three seasons, including a 2,601-yard campaign with 29 rushing scores, I understand why the football world is clamoring over the two-time Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year. Here are my thoughts on the consensus RB1 on draft boards around the league: Strengths: The 5-foot-8, 211-pounder is the total package at the position, as a spectacular runner/receiver with a blue-collar mentality and blue-chip game. Jeanty displays a unique combination of speed, power, balance and body control, enabling him to elude, evade and eviscerate defenders in traffic. The Boise State standout flashes the wiggle, burst and bounce to produce a big play whenever he touches the ball, but also runs with the discipline, patience, and "pop" to pick up the "dirty" yards between the tackles. As a workhorse runner with 18 career games with 20-plus carries, including nine games with at least 30 rushing attempts, Jeanty exhibits the competitive stamina and world-class fitness that old-school NFL coaches covet in an RB1. He is a spectacular sledgehammer who exhibits the physicality and toughness to run through arm tackles and glancing blows within the hole. He also shows the stop-start quickness and burst to run away from defenders in space. Due to his soft hands and dynamic running skills, Jeanty is an explosive playmaker on swings and screens in the passing game. He has totaled 66 catches since 2023, exhibiting big play potential on high-percentage passes out of the backfield. Jeanty is also an electric runner in the open field, displaying the wiggle and burst to weave in and out of traffic. Weaknesses: Like most young running backs, Jeanty is a work in progress as a pass protector. He lacks the experience and expertise to effectively shut down would-be pass rushers as a part of their "double read" assignments. Though his shoddy blocking technique can be improved with more reps on the practice field and in games, Jeanty could be a liability in pass protection as a young player. The Boise State product enters the league after logging 750 rushing attempts over three seasons, including a 374-carry campaign in 2024. While he has displayed outstanding stamina and durability, shouldering a heavy workload, the cumulative effect of carrying the rock could shorten Jeanty's prime as a pro. Pro Comparison: Josh Jacobs The 2023 NFL rushing champion has posted four 1,000-yard seasons as the feature back of the Las Vegas Raiders and Green Bay Packers, exhibiting exceptional balance, body control and power as a dynamic runner between the tackles. Jeanty displays similar traits with a patient running style that showcases his outstanding balance, body control and agility between the tackles. With the Boise State standout looking like a perennial 1,500-yard rusher with scoring from anywhere talent, NFL coaches and scouts could view Jeanty as a Jacobs clone during the pre-draft process. Perfect Team Fits Las Vegas Raiders: If Pete Carroll follows the blueprint that helped him win Super Bowl XLVIII, he could view Jeanty as the Marshawn Lynch-like chess piece that allows the Raiders to control the board. As a "three-down" playmaker with exceptional running and receiving skills, the Boise State product is the dynamic weapon the Silver-and-Black needs to whip opponents utilizing an old school formula (strong running game + stingy defense = wins) that has helped the 73-year-old head coach win at a high level. With Geno Smith steadying the offense as a seasoned game manager, inserting Jeanty into the lineup could help the Raiders quickly close the gap on their division rivals. Chicago Bears: Ben Johnson's success with a two-RB1 rotation could prompt the Bears to add Jeanty to a lineup that already features D'Andre Swift. Though the incumbent is an explosive playmaker with speed to burn, the 2024 Doak Walker Award winner is a classic workhorse back who flashes big play potential as a "do-it-all" back with an electric game. Jeanty's multi-faceted skills could help Johnson unlock the unit's potential as a first-year head coach/offensive play-caller as the Bears seek to create a high-powered offense that meshes force with finesse. Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys' success has traditionally been tied to the presence of an elite runner in the backfield. From Tony Dorsett to Emmitt Smith to DeMarco Murray and Ezekiel Elliott, the Cowboys rack up wins when they feature a potential NFL rushing champion at RB1. Jeanty flashes 2,000-yard rushing potential as an electric runner with the size, strength, speed, vision and burst to score from anywhere on the field. Whether attacking downhill on various gap-scheme runs between the tackles or scooting around the corner outside zone or quick-pitch concepts, the Boise State product gives Brian Schottenheimer a high-end running back to build around. Considering he witnessed his dad (Marty Schottenheimer) help rebuild the San Diego Chargers into a title contender with LaDainian Tomlinson leading the way, the Cowboys' new head coach could opt for a similar strategy to help "America's Team" return to prominence in 2025. Denver Broncos: Despite his reputation as a "throw-it-around-the-yard" play designer, Sean Payton wants to bludgeon opponents with a power-based running game that features a collection of hard-nosed runners plowing between the tackles. Jeanty's success as a bell cow in a throwback offense could encourage the one-time Super Bowl champion coach to upgrade the Broncos' offense with an elite running back with electric playmaking skills as a runner-receiver out of the backfield. Given his success with Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara, the crafty play-caller could transform the Broncos' offense into a juggernaut with a combo playmaker with big play potential. Bucky Brooks is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports. He also breaks down the game for NFL Network and as a cohost of the "Moving the Sticks" podcast. Follow him on Twitter @BuckyBrooks. recommended Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
