GREEN BAY, Wisc. -- Ashton Jeanty’s senior season of college football began and ended in Sin City.
The All-American running back attempted to attend the Mountain West Football Media Day back in July of last year, but was unable to join his conference mates due to the hotel having a 21 and older rule. So the ever-resourceful Boise State communications staff set Jeanty up in a nondescript room at the Bellagio and the media came to him.
Jeanty’s ability to pivot is clearly unparalleled. And now, thanks to the No. 6 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders, he returns to the strip with the keys to the city.
“It’s definitely crazy,” said Jeanty at the Draft of the full circle moment. “I’m just excited and I’m old enough to get in the hotel now, so we are good.”
According to Broncos head coach Spencer Danielson, the Raiders did their homework.
“I knew right away from talking with their GM that they need this and they know his skill set, they know who he is and when a team has done their research, they know that he’s going to be a perfect fit for their program,” explained Danielson. “I can’t wait to see him around Coach Carroll and the offense because they are going to run the football. He is going to impact the culture of that team the second he walks in.”
If there is one thing you need to know about Jeanty, besides his love for sour patch kids, it’s that he brings his culture with him wherever he goes. Which is why every detail of his red carpet outfit was meticulously and thoughtfully planned - from the bejewled crocs to his bespoke suit.
“I just wanted to be different - a custom suit from Brian Alexander, bespoke,” said Jeanty of his outfit. “The details, custom design and I put the Haitian flag on the cuff because I like to carry the culture with me wherever I go. I think that’s important.”
Jeanty’s parents accompanied him on the red carpet Thursday night, in their own custom looks.
“His mom actually went out and dressed herself - the green was coincidental,” joked Jeanty’s dad Henry. “The same person that helped me, helped Ashton. They worked on it together, they had a great vision.”
Jeanty definitely sees things differently, as his record-setting 2,601 rushing yards last season would indicate (the second-most in a single season in FBS history behind only Barry Sanders). He is just built different - from his scary backfield stance to his determination to leave Boise State a better place than when he first stepped foot on the blue turf to the fact that he wore the flashiest pair of Crocs you have ever seen on the NFL Draft Red Carpet.
Emily Van Buskirk - The Sporting Tribune
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty talks with The Sporting Tribune's Emily Van Buskirk after being selected in the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
“Cros reached out - they wanted somebody to make a splash, set a trend,” explained Jeanty with a smile. “So I think I’m setting a trend tonight. Also, I think the crystals, the bedazzled, brings the suit out a little more.”
When asked if the Raiders might collaborate with him on selling the black and silver crocs for fans, Jeanty lit up.
“I definitely think so, we gotta put something in the works,” he chucked.
In the meantime, he will be sending some to Danielson to rock back in Boise.
It’s unusual to have both your college head coach and your athletic director with you in the green room at the NFL Draft. It’s even more unusual to have your former head coach cheering you on in the post draft interview room, hyping you up as reporters ask you questions. But if you haven't figured it out by now, Ashton Jeanty is an uncommon guy.
“Raider Nation, that community is going to absolutely love him,” exclaimed Danielson. “Just like Bronco Nation has, they are going to wrap their arms around Ashton and he’s going to be the face of the program - that’s coming.”