Ashton Jeanty is an American professional football running back currently playing for the Las Vegas Raiders in the National Football League (NFL). Born on December 2, 2003, in Jacksonville, Florida, Jeanty’s journey to the NFL was shaped by a unique upbringing influenced by his father’s military career. The son of Harry Jeanty, a U.S. Navy chief petty officer, and Pamela Jeanty, a special education teacher, Ashton moved frequently during his childhood, living in places like Georgia, Virginia, Texas, and even Naples, Italy.
His early exposure to football came at Great Bridge Middle School in Chesapeake, Virginia, and continued at Naples Middle/High School, a Department of Defense Education Activity school in Italy, where he transitioned from quarterback to running back. His determination to pursue football at a higher level led him to Lone Star High School in Frisco, Texas, where he showcased his talent, rushing for 1,843 yards and scoring 41 total touchdowns as a senior. Committing to Boise State University, Jeanty emerged as a standout college athlete before being selected sixth overall by the Raiders in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Siblings
Ashton grew up in a close-knit family with three siblings: an older brother, Amir, and two sisters, Alyssa and Ariana. The Jeanty siblings shared a unique bond, forged through the challenges of frequent relocations due to their father’s military service. While living in Naples, Italy, none of the siblings spoke Italian, which led them to rely heavily on each other for support and adjustment to their new environment. Amir, in particular, played a significant role in Ashton’s football journey.
A talented football player himself, Amir served as a role model for Ashton, who looked up to him and drew inspiration from his athleticism. Amir has noted that Ashton’s fluid movements on the football field were partly developed through playing basketball, a sport that helped hone his agility and instincts. While little is known publicly about Alyssa and Ariana, their presence in Ashton’s life contributed to the strong family foundation he often credits for his success.
Career
Jeanty’s football career began in an unconventional setting, playing against teams from other military base schools in Europe while living in Italy. His standout performance there, rushing for over 1,200 yards and 21 touchdowns in a six-game season, prompted his decision to return to the United States to pursue football more seriously. At Lone Star High School in Texas, Jeanty excelled as a multi-positional athlete, playing running back, wide receiver, defensive end, outside linebacker, and safety. His senior year performance earned him recognition as a four-star recruit by 247Sports and a scholarship to Boise State University.
As a true freshman in 2022, Jeanty shared carries with George Holani, playing in all 14 games and rushing for 821 yards and seven touchdowns, including a 178-yard performance in the Frisco Bowl. In 2023, he led Boise State with 1,347 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns while adding 569 receiving yards and five scores. His breakout 2024 season saw him shatter records, rushing for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns, leading the FBS in rushing yards and yards from scrimmage. Selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2025 NFL Draft, Jeanty signed a four-year contract and has quickly become a focal point of their offensive strategy, showcasing his explosive playmaking ability.
Accolades
Jeanty’s remarkable college career at Boise State was decorated with numerous accolades, cementing his status as one of the top running backs in college football history. In 2024, he was named a unanimous All-American by the Associated Press and earned first-team All-Mountain West honors. He won the Maxwell Award, recognizing him as the nation’s top collegiate player, and the Doak Walker Award, given to the best running back in college football.
Additionally, Jeanty received the Bobby Bowden Trophy and the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, further highlighting his dominance and character. As the Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year in both 2023 and 2024, he showcased consistent excellence. His runner-up finish for the 2024 Heisman Trophy underscored his impact, as he came close to joining Northeast Florida’s Derrick Henry as a Heisman-winning running back. Jeanty’s 2024 season performance, including a record-breaking 267-yard, six-touchdown game against Georgia Southern, earned him widespread recognition and solidified his reputation as a generational talent heading into the NFL.