Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty set college football on fire with his incredible play for Boise State last season, but he has decided to not take part in drills at the NFL Scouting Combine
Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty has made the surprising decision to not work out at the NFL Scouting Combine.
The most exciting running back prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft, Jeanty – like Shedeur Sanders – will only do medical testing and interviews in Indianapolis. The 21-year-old does plan to run an on-field workout at Boise State’s Pro Day.
Jeanty is coming off an incredible 2024 season in which he led the nation with 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns. The Heisman finalist fell just short of breaking Barry Sanders’s single-season record of 2,628 yards on the ground and ultimately missed out on the coveted individual award to Colorado two-way phenom Travis Hunter.
Jeanty enjoyed one of the most productive seasons for a running back in college football history and was named a First-Team All-American. Thanks to his remarkable play, Boise State reached the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff, but Jeanty rushed for a season-low 104 yards on 30 carries and also lost a fumble in the loss to Penn State.
He finished his college career with 4,769 yards and 50 touchdowns on the ground to go along with 862 yards and five scores through the air in 40 appearances. While Jeanty had one more season of eligibility with the Broncos, he decided to declare for the upcoming draft – and the star running back prospect is being touted as a potential favored option for the Dallas Cowboys with the No. 12 overall pick.
The Cowboys were heavily criticized after failing to sign a running back in free agency after Tony Pollard left for the Tennessee Titans. Dallas failed to move for any of the big names, with Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley, and Josh Jacobs joining new teams and discovering their best form.
Ashton Jeanty is widely considered the best running back prospect in the upcoming draft (
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Rico Dowdle was a solid performer for the Cowboys in 2024, rushing for 1,079 yards – and he is set to be a free agent himself. The running back position is a key area of the Dallas roster that needs to be addressed in the offseason, and Jeanty could be the man.
This is why Jeanty’s decision to not participate in the Combine drills will be frustrating for Jerry Jones and co. The Cowboys averaged the sixth-fewest rushing yards per game (100.3) in the league last season, while posting an average of 4.0 yards per carry – tied for the third-fewest in the NFL.
The Heisman runner-up is physically imposing and is expected to be a stud in the pros. His 1,733 yards after contact highlight how he can break tackles and make plays, a skill that will undoubtedly help him adjust to the NFL.
Meanwhile, quarterback Dak Prescott is 9-17 in his career when throwing more than 40 times in a game, so a solidified run game will provide the necessary balance. Given the frustration that surrounded the struggling NFC East franchise last season, Jeanty could be the boost the offense needs to power the Cowboys back into the playoffs.
