Alongside Colorado Buffaloes’ Shedeur Sanders and Miami Hurricanes’ Cam Ward, Boise State Broncos’ Ashton Jeanty is expected to declare for the 2025 NFL Draft. If he makes it to the pros, ESPN’s NFL analysts compare him to Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson, noting that Jeanty could be a similar type of explosive, all-purpose back.
Jeanty has been outstanding this season, rushing for 1,734 yards and 23 touchdowns in just nine games. His remarkable performance has earned him the third-best odds for the Heisman Trophy, behind Dillon Gabriel and Travis Hunter.
His play has drawn comparisons to Barry Sanders, whose 1988 season set FBS records with 2,628 rushing yards and 37 touchdowns. If Jeanty continues at this pace, he could challenge those historic marks, solidifying his reputation as one of college football’s most dynamic players.
With the 2025 NFL Draft approaching, speculation about Jeanty’s future is growing, with many predicting he could be a perfect fit for the Dallas Cowboys, particularly due to their need for a dynamic running back and his connections to Texas. Jeanty himself has joked about the possibility of joining the Arizona Cardinals, forming the “shortest backfield in the NFL” with quarterback Kyler Murray. While that might be a stretch, the Cowboys could be a realistic destination if they secure a high draft pick.
As the Heisman race heats up and the draft draws near, Jeanty’s combination of production, potential, and charisma has fans eagerly watching his every move. His performance this season is capturing the attention of the college football world, with analysts projecting he could become an NFL star.
ESPN’s Matt Miller has specifically highlighted Jeanty’s comparison to LaDainian Tomlinson. Despite standing just 5’9″, Jeanty’s 215-pound frame is packed with elite short-area quickness, power, and the ability to exploit defensive gaps with breakaway speed. Like Tomlinson was during his time at TCU, Jeanty is a dynamic all-purpose back. So far this season, he has accumulated over 1,700 rushing yards and 24 total touchdowns.
With his impressive combination of speed, power, and vision, Jeanty is expected to be a top-5 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft—an uncommon position for running backs in recent years. If he keeps up his current pace, he could set new records and become one of the most electrifying prospects in recent memory, with the potential to make an immediate impact in the NFL, much like Tomlinson did.
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