Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty has had an eventful week after leading his team to the Mountain West Conference championship with a 21-7 win against the UNLV Rebels. The running back was also named as one of the four finalists for the prestigious Heisman Trophy.
Away from matters Heisman, Jeanty had an eye-catching interview with Dallas Cowboys superstar Micah Parsons on “The Edge” podcast on Tuesday (Dec. 10), during which he hinted at the franchise’s interest in the Broncos running back during the 2025 NFL Draft.
Are the Dallas Cowboys Targeting Ashton Jeanty?
“I don’t know, based off what I hear, you (Jeanty) might get a call from Dallas. We don’t know yet. I see you calling us out,” Parsons said.
The speculation by Parsons is not unfounded, and during his latest mock draft, ESPN Draft expert Field Yates mocked Ashton Jeanty to the Dallas Cowboys as the No. 12 pick.
“Do the Cowboys have several key issues, including at more premium positions? They unequivocally do. But Jeanty is a remarkable prospect, and this Dallas offense has been largely bereft of playmakers besides CeeDee Lamb,” Yates wrote. “Plus, the Cowboys are 28th in rushing (91.2 yards per game), and Rico Dowdle — who has emerged as the team’s clear-cut No. 1 back — is a free agent this offseason.”
Ashton Jeanty vs. Travis Hunter Enters the Home Stretch
During an interview with NBC, former NFL MVP Shaun Alexander waded into the debate, pitting Jeanty against Hunter. Surprisingly, Alexander picked the two-way star despite being a former running back himself.
“Travis plays so many plays,” Alexander said. “It is hard to even think that a guy can cut off half the field when it comes to passes in the secondary and still be that guy all over the field. But definitely in the red zone, he’s pretty marvelous, man. So I lean more towards Travis, just because I’m amazed to see a kid have that many snaps and be pretty solid through the whole game. It’s pretty amazing.”
The numbers of the two respective players speak for themselves. Jeanty has recorded 2,497 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns; he needs just 131 more rushing yards to break Barry Sanders’ 37-year record set in his Heisman-winning campaign in 1988 for the Oklahoma State Cowboys.
Meanwhile, Hunter tallied 1,152 yards on 92 receptions resulting in 14 touchdowns on the offensive side of the ball while registering 31 tackles, one forced fumble, and four interceptions on the defensive side of the ball to make him a worthy competitor for the Heisman up against Jeanty, Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel, and Miami’s Cam Ward.