Ashton Jeanty arrived at the 2025 NFL Combine as one of the draft’s top overall prospects and surely the No. 1 player in his position group.
But the running back opened up about his football journey a bit Friday morning in Indianapolis, noting that he didn’t play football in seventh or eight grade because his father, an officer in the Navy, was stationed in Italy.
When Jeanty returned to the United States, he then played elsewhere on the field.
“I didn’t get to play running back until my senior year because there were a lot of guys ahead of me,” Jeanty said. “I had to wait my time.
“What I would say to the younger cats is, ‘Trust the process.’ Your chance will come and wherever they put you on the field, just take advantage of the opportunity,” Jeanty added.
Jeanty later landed at Boise State, where he developed into one of the nation’s best overall players.
He capped off his college career in historic fashion with 2,601 rushing yards, the second-most in a single season in NCAA history. He also added 29 rushing touchdowns to help Boise State make the College Football Playoff.
Jeanty has now turned his focus to the 2025 NFL Draft, where he is expected to be the top running back taken.
Jeanty said Friday that he doesn’t expect to be on the board once the 20s come around. The Chargers have the No. 22 overall pick.
But here’s what Jeanty said he’d bring to whichever team takes him in Round 1.
“Just being a three-down back. Obviously, be able to run the ball, catch it and pass protect and be on the field on those third downs,” Jeanty said.
He later added: “My best trait is my big-play ability, to have those 60, 70-yard runs … yards after contact, just being able to break tackles and make plays down the field.”
Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network has Jeanty as his No. 3 overall player while The Athletic’s Dane Brugler tabbed Loveland at No. 5.
J.K. Dobbins is a pending free agent for the Chargers, who still have Gus Edwards, Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal under contract in 2025.
Here are some top quotes from running back and wide receiver prospects, listed in alphabetical order, who spoke Friday.
