BOISE, Idaho — The buzz of the upcoming college football season is heightened by the nationwide buzz surround the new EA Sports College Football 25 video game, which released its top 100 list Wednesday.
Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty appeared in the game's group of top players, receiving a 91 overall rating and ranking No. 44 in the nation. Jeanty is one of two players in the Mountain West on the list, just ahead of Colorado State wide receiver Tory Horton at No. 45 overall.
The reigning and 2024 preseason Offensive Player of the Year earned ratings of 91 speed, 96 acceleration, 75 strength, 90 awareness and 88 jumping. The last one seems a bit low for Jeanty, who has a habit of hurdling defenders with ease.
Boise State also cleared a hurdle to send its Heisman candidate to Las Vegas around Mountain West Media Days. For the second-straight year, the event was hosted by Circa Resort and Casino, a 21-and-over property Jeanty is too young to enjoy.
The Broncos had to get creative to allow their young star to get the media attention he's earned this week. KTVB on Wednesday night had the chance to catch up with Jeanty in a hotel suite across the street from Circa.
From gestures like solo media availability, to debuting the new uniforms in the latest EA Sports College Football 25 teaser, and his ongoing Heisman campaign on display at the spring game, Jeanty said it's clear that Boise State has had his best interests at heart – one of the reasons coming back this fall continues to feel like the right choice.
"It's going great, It's going exactly like I thought," Jeanty said. "They've met my expectations and went even higher by doing things such as this. Finding each and every single way to help me further the brand of my myself, not only, and Boise State."
MOUNTAIN WEST PRAISES JEANTY
Some of the conference's top players share their thoughts on the Boise State running back during 2024 Mountain West Media Days.
"One of one. Top one. "Most of these guys, they're good at one thing. They're either fast or they're strong. He's fast and strong, and athletic and shifty. He marks all the boxes." - Ike Larsen, Utah State safety
"Like I said, he's phenomenal. He's electric. He's obviously quick, one of the quickest persons I've ever seen touch the rock. I think he has a great feel of playing that running back position." - Deshawn McCuin, San Diego State safety
"I take from him. He has really great contact balance, like really great contact balance – it is honestly surreal. He could be running full speed about to make a move and get hit in the middle of his move and his shoulders are still parallel, they're still going north and south, they're still pointing north and south and he's still getting downhill." - Malik Sherrod, Fresno State running back
"He's kind of a do-it-all guy. He can hurdle you, he can juke you, he can run by you. A lot of respect to Ashton. He's a dog and you know, I really wish we had you guys on our conference schedule this year just so I can play him. That was a fun matchup last year with him." - Jack Howell, Colorado State defensive back
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