“I Don’t Think it Really Makes Sense”: Ashton Jeanty Addresses Questions About His Height Ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft

Standing at just 5’9″, former Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty is set to be one of the smaller runners to join the NFL in 2025. Scouts and the media seem overly concerned by the RB’s small frame, even though he has proved his worth many times in college. In the 2024 season, his final one as a Bronco, Jeanty scored 2,601 yards with 374 carries and 29 touchdowns.

Part of the process that comes with being a top prospect in the NFL Draft involves having every part of yourself put under a microscope by the league’s top scouts. Jeanty understands this all too well. And he has dismissed all concerns with the confidence of a man who knows what he can achieve.

“I proved myself on the collegiate level. That’s why I didn’t get recruited by, per say, those bigger schools. They didn’t think I had the size or the speed. I don’t think the height thing really makes sense because there’s a lot of players in the NFL, some even shorter than me, who have made a great impact,” Jeanty said.

The 2024 Heisman Award runner-up believes the league is shifting toward “shorter guys who are shiftier, faster rather than the big, bulky guys”. That makes him perfect for today’s NFL.

His height may also be deceiving. The BSU star weighed in at 216 lbs for his senior season. The league average weight for an RB is 215 lbs, suggesting that the Bruiser-style back should have more than enough padding on his frame to endure a steady workload. And Jeanty’s confidence is backed by league history too.

There are plenty of examples of shorter players playing pivotal roles in the NFL. Jahmyr Gibbs, sophomore sensation for the Detroit Lions, comes in at 5’9″ tall while only weighing 198lb. His smaller stature did not prevent him from scoring the most rushing touchdowns in the league this year.

Smaller backs such as Darren Sproles and Mike Tolbert are found throughout NFL history. Furthermore, Barry Sanders, who some consider being the best running back in NFL history, stood at only 5’8″.

There is no precedent to suggest that shorter running backs cannot find success in the league, nor is there one that suggests they will inherently have durability issues.

Throughout the Heisman voting process, Jeanty’s volume of touches was routinely criticized, with some believing that it hindered his chances. However, he chooses not to focus on the nitpicking.

“There’s always going to be people who nitpick things or point different things that they think might not work,” Jeanty asserted.

Despite being just 21 years old, the Mountain West product has proven that he can handle both on and off-field responsibilities with poise and professionalism. Regardless of which team is lucky enough to draft him, he will more than likely exceed any and all of the expectations that have already been laid out for him.