If you followed college football in 2024, you didn’t just hear Ashton Jeanty’s name-you felt the buzz. The Boise State star wasn’t just good; he was electric.
A Heisman runner-up who came within striking distance of Barry Sanders’ iconic single-season rushing record, Jeanty didn’t just put up numbers-he carried the Broncos all the way into the College Football Playoff. So when the Las Vegas Raiders made him the sixth overall pick, expectations weren’t just high-they were sky-high.
Fast forward to his rookie season, and while Jeanty hasn’t quite lived up to the video-game numbers he posted in college, let’s not pretend he’s been a disappointment. Running behind an offensive line that’s struggled to open consistent lanes, Jeanty has still managed to grind out 700 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground, while adding four more through the air heading into Week 16. That’s not nothing-especially for a rookie trying to find his footing in a league that doesn’t exactly roll out the welcome mat.
But on Sunday, against the NFL’s top-ranked rushing defense, Jeanty gave us a reminder-and maybe a preview-of what made him one of the most talked-about backs in recent memory. Facing the Houston Texans, Jeanty looked every bit the star he was projected to be.
He ran with vision, power, and patience, piling up 128 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries. And just for good measure, he added a 60-yard touchdown reception that showcased his versatility and big-play ability.
This wasn’t just a good game. This was a statement.
Against a defense that’s made a habit of shutting down opposing backs, Jeanty didn’t just hold his own-he took over. By the end of the day, he had racked up 188 total yards, the second-most by a Raiders rookie in franchise history, trailing only Bo Jackson’s legendary 235-yard outburst in 1987.
That’s the kind of company you want to keep.
And the Texans? They knew they’d been hit by something special.
“I’ve never been in a game and actually stopped and thought, ‘man, this man’s a dog,’” said Texans edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. after the game. “A ton of respect for him.
He’s going to be a really good player in this league. Tough back, tough runner, hard to bring down.
He’s going to do a lot of great things in this league.”
Veteran pass rusher Danielle Hunter echoed the sentiment. “Break tackles, low center of gravity-you saw what he did out there,” Hunter said.
“There’s a reason why he went where he did in the draft. He keeps plays alive, bounces off tackles, makes something out of nothing.
We saw it on film, but it’s different when you’re out there trying to stop it.”
When a rookie running back racks up more rushing yards against the Texans than almost every team they’ve faced this season, it’s more than just a breakout game-it’s a warning shot to the rest of the league. Jeanty didn’t just find daylight-he found his rhythm. And if Sunday was any indication, the Raiders might just have a future star on their hands who’s ready to turn potential into production, one broken tackle at a time.