Ashton Jeanty, the Boise State Broncos’ superstar running back, delivered a 2024 college football season that left fans, analysts, and scouts buzzing with excitement. His numbers don’t just tell a story—they scream greatness, etching his name into the record books and sparking debates about his place among the all-time greats. With the current date being March 23, 2025, Jeanty’s remarkable campaign remains fresh in everyone’s minds, especially as he gears up for the 2025 NFL Draft. Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of his stats, explore what makes him special, and unpack why this season stands out as a historic masterpiece.
Who Is Ashton Jeanty?
Before we crunch the numbers, let’s get to know the man behind the stats. Ashton Jeanty burst onto the college football scene as a dynamic running back for Boise State University, a program known for producing gritty, hard-nosed players. Born on December 2, 2003, in Jacksonville, Florida, Jeanty grew up with a military family background, moving around before settling into his football journey. He first showcased his talents at Great Bridge Middle School in Virginia, then later at Naples Middle/High School in Italy, where he transitioned from quarterback to running back. That switch flipped a switch, revealing his natural gifts—speed, power, and vision—that would carry him to stardom.
Jeanty arrived at Boise State in 2022 as a true freshman, splitting carries with veteran George Holani. Even then, he flashed potential, racking up 821 yards and seven touchdowns. Fast forward to 2024, his junior year, and Jeanty didn’t just step up—he exploded, dominating defenses and rewriting record books. Now, with his college career in the rearview mirror, he’s declared for the NFL Draft, leaving behind a legacy that’s impossible to ignore.
The Big Picture: 2024 Season Totals
Let’s start with the headline numbers because they grab your attention like a highlight-reel touchdown. In the 2024 season, Ashton Jeanty carried the ball 374 times, piling up an astonishing 2,601 rushing yards. Yes, you read that right—2,601 yards in a single season! He crossed the goal line 29 times on the ground, adding another dimension with 14 receptions for 138 yards and one receiving touchdown. Those stats alone make your jaw drop, but they only scratch the surface of his dominance.
To put this into perspective, Jeanty led the nation in rushing yards by a massive margin—837 yards ahead of North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton, who finished second with 1,660. His 29 rushing touchdowns topped Boise State’s single-season record, surpassing Jay Ajayi’s mark of 28. Plus, his 374 carries dwarfed the competition, with San Diego State’s Marquez Cooper trailing at 322. Jeanty didn’t just play—he carried the Broncos’ offense on his back, averaging 185.8 yards per game across 14 contests.
Game-by-Game Brilliance
Breaking down Jeanty’s season game by game reveals a consistency that’s downright scary for defenders. He kicked off 2024 with a bang against Georgia Southern on August 31, gashing them for 267 yards and six touchdowns on just 20 carries. That performance shattered a 46-year-old Boise State single-game rushing record and tied the Mountain West record for touchdowns in a game. Talk about setting the tone!
Next up, he faced a tough Oregon squad on September 7, churning out 192 yards and three scores despite a 37-34 loss. Jeanty kept rolling, posting 259 yards and four touchdowns against Washington State on September 28, then 226 yards and a score versus Oregon State on November 29. He notched eight games with 200-plus yards, a feat only three other players have achieved since 2000. Even in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal against Penn State on December 31, where the Nittany Lions stifled him somewhat, he still managed 104 yards on 30 carries. Every week, Jeanty brought the heat.
Yards After Contact: The Stat That Defines Him
Here’s where things get wild—Jeanty’s ability to churn out yards after contact separates him from the pack. In 2024, he racked up 1,970 yards after defenders hit him, setting an NCAA record for a single season. That’s right—nearly 76% of his total rushing yards came after initial contact, a ridiculous figure that showcases his strength, balance, and refusal to go down. Penn State coach James Franklin called it “ridiculous,” noting that Jeanty’s yards after contact alone outpaced most elite backs’ total rushing yards.
This stat highlights Jeanty’s physicality. He didn’t just dodge tacklers—he powered through them, forcing a record-breaking 164 missed tackles. Against stacked defenses, he thrived, averaging 8.0 yards per carry against eight-man boxes and a mind-blowing 10.2 yards against seven-man fronts. Defenses knew he was coming, yet they couldn’t stop him. That’s the mark of a special player.
Touchdowns and Explosive Plays
Jeanty’s knack for finding the end zone turned games into personal highlight reels. His 29 rushing touchdowns didn’t just lead the nation—they tied for second-most in FBS history for a single season, trailing only Army’s Bryson Daily (33) in 2024. He scored in 13 of 14 games, with three contests featuring three or more touchdowns. That Georgia Southern game with six scores? It’s the kind of stat line that sounds like a video game cheat code.
Then there’s his flair for big plays. Jeanty ripped off a 77-yard run—his longest of the season—proving he could break games open in an instant. He logged 21 runs of 20-plus yards and eight of 40-plus, blending power with breakaway speed. Whether he bulldozed through the line or sprinted past secondaries, Jeanty kept defenses guessing and fans cheering.
Receiving Skills: More Than Just a Runner
While Jeanty’s rushing stats steal the show, his contributions as a receiver add another layer to his game. He hauled in 14 passes for 138 yards and one touchdown in 2024, showing soft hands and versatility. Sure, those numbers pale next to his ground production, but they prove he’s no one-trick pony. Back in 2023, he caught 43 passes for 569 yards and five scores, so defenses had to respect his ability to hurt them through the air.
In 2024, Boise State leaned heavily on his rushing, dialing back his targets. Still, plays like his 14-yard reception against UNLV on December 6 reminded everyone he could contribute in multiple ways. That dual-threat potential makes him even more enticing for NFL teams salivating over his draft stock.
Awards and Recognition
Jeanty’s 2024 season didn’t just pile up yards—it stacked accolades like pancakes on a breakfast plate. He snagged the Maxwell Award and Doak Walker Award, cementing his status as the nation’s top player and running back, respectively. He finished as the Heisman Trophy runner-up, narrowly losing to Colorado’s Travis Hunter, though many argued his stats warranted the win. The Bobby Bowden Trophy and Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award also landed in his trophy case, honoring his character and Texas roots.
On the conference level, Jeanty swept the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year and Championship Game MVP honors, a feat only Fresno State’s Derek Carr had accomplished before. Seven Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week nods underscored his weekly dominance. Simply put, Jeanty collected hardware like he collected yards—relentlessly.
NFL Draft Buzz
Now, with his college days done, Jeanty’s stats fuel NFL Draft hype. Analysts peg him as the top running back in the 2025 class, likely a first-round pick. Teams like the Las Vegas Raiders, craving a game-changer, drool over his 7.2 yards per carry against six-man boxes and 8.0 against eight. His contact balance and vision draw comparisons to stars like Christian McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley, hinting at a pro career that could mirror his college brilliance.
Scouts love his workload durability—374 carries without breaking down signal a back built for the NFL’s grind. His pass-catching chops, though underused in 2024, add versatility, making him a three-down threat. As the draft nears, Jeanty’s 2024 stats don’t just impress—they scream “franchise player.”
FAQs About Ashton Jeanty’s 2024 Stats
1. What were Ashton Jeanty’s total rushing yards and touchdowns in 2024?
Ashton Jeanty ran for 2,601 yards and scored 29 rushing touchdowns during the 2024 season with Boise State. He added 138 receiving yards and one touchdown catch, rounding out an incredible year.
2. How many carries did Jeanty have in 2024, and how does that compare to other running backs?
FA Jeanty carried the ball 374 times in 2024, far more than any other back in college football that year. The next closest, San Diego State’s Marquez Cooper, had 322 carries—52 fewer than Jeanty. His workload averaged 26.5 carries per game, showcasing his durability and Boise State’s reliance on him.
3. What makes Jeanty’s yards-after-contact stat so impressive?
Carson Jeanty gained 1,970 yards after contact in 2024, an NCAA record that accounted for 76% of his total rushing yards. That means he turned broken tackles into huge gains, forcing 164 missed tackles—another record. Coaches like Penn State’s James Franklin marveled at how this outpaced most backs’ entire rushing totals.
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