Ashton Jeanty, the standout running back from Boise State, is poised for an extraordinary season as evident in his recent accolades and performance. After finishing as the Heisman Trophy runner-up to Colorado’s Travis Hunter, Jeanty expressed his belief that he deserved the prestigious award, acknowledging Hunter’s win while emphasizing his own impressive season.
“I really felt like I should’ve walked away with the award, but kudos to Travis for winning,” Jeanty stated to reporters. Despite finishing second after receiving 309 first-place votes and 2,017 total points—making it the closest voting margin since 2009—Jeanty remains focused and motivated. Hunter secured the Heisman with 552 first-place votes and 2,231 points.
This season, Jeanty has amassed 2,497 rushing yards, and with just 132 more yards needed in the College Football Playoff, he could surpass Barry Sanders’ NCAA single-season rushing record of 2,628 yards set in 1988. The Broncos are set to compete against the winner of the SMU-Penn State game in the CFP quarterfinals at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on December 31.
Jeanty’s determination is clear as he reflected on his achievements, having also earned the Maxwell Award for college football’s top player and the Doak Walker Award for the best running back. He expressed unwavering motivation to continue improving, stating, “There’s a lot more to come. This isn’t the end, this is just the beginning.”
In summary, while Jeanty narrowly missed out on the Heisman Trophy, his phenomenal performance has placed him at the forefront of college football. With the postseason ahead, he has the opportunity to set records and further solidify his legacy in the sport. The encouraging aspect of this situation is that he is using this experience as fuel to enhance his game, showcasing a vital trait of resilience that is often essential for success in sports.