Las Vegas Raiders Rookie Ashton Jeanty Generates Excitement

Among the rookies to watch for in 2025, the Las Vegas Raiders’ Ashton Jeanty is perhaps the most anticipated. The former Boise State star has had an impressive college football season, racking up over 2,600 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns, leading the Broncos to the college football playoffs.

Jeanty, the sixth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, recently spoke with SB Nation about his journey and his transition to the NFL, still yet to fully embrace the atmosphere of the desert while donning the silver and black.

“JB: You grew up in a military family; how did that shape your values both on and off the field?”

“AJ: Yeah, I had to adjust constantly since we moved around a lot. Adapting meant meeting new people, forming relationships, and proving myself repeatedly. It’s similar to sports. Whenever you join a new team, you have to build chemistry. Although I had a great season in college, that’s behind me now. I’m in the NFL, so it feels like I’m starting from scratch.”

“JB: Did you play soccer in Europe as a kid?”

“AJ: During my freshman year, I played soccer in Italy. It was a fantastic experience, though the competition wasn’t the toughest. I managed about 1,200 rushing yards in just six games. But traveling to Germany, Spain, and Belgium, experiencing different cultures while playing was amazing.”

“JB: What does expressing your Haitian culture at the NFL level mean to you?”

“AJ: It means everything. Your roots are crucial. I’ve always been taught to carry my culture with pride. I’m proud to represent two cultures: being born in the U.S. and having deep ties to Haiti through my family, especially my dad.”

“JB: Why did you choose to return to the U.S. and attend Boise?”

“AJ: As a military family, we had to stay in one place for a while. When it was time to move, we wanted to ensure we found a good location. Not only for football, but I have siblings, so a solid school system was important. I started making plays and gaining attention, and Boise was genuinely interested in me from early on. They showed real plans for my future development.”

“JB: How did you end up in that stance in the backfield? Was it planned?”

“AJ: It was just something that felt natural to me. I was comfortable, and it quickly became a sensation, which was really cool.”

“JB: I heard Chip Kelly was interested in you. Did you push back at all?”

“AJ: Not really. We’re still getting familiar with everything, focusing on earning our stripes first. Once we’re making plays, I don’t think we’ll stress too much over our stances.”

“JB: Once you have that 1,500-yard season, I doubt Chip will care much.”

“AJ: Right, and for branding, I’ll need to bring it back at some point.”

“JB: Fans are eager to hear that. Can you tell us about the Raiders? Jackson Powers introduced himself to you in a clip. What’s the culture like in Las Vegas?”

“AJ: I feel good. It’s a solid organization. They emphasize building relationships, and I sensed that immediately from my initial interactions with Jackson. He introduced himself and showed he genuinely cares. You have to appreciate that as a running back. The veterans have been great, and my rookie class is awesome too.”

“JB: I don’t know if you caught what your teammate, Brock Bowers, said about you. He described you as a beast, fast, and thick. Any comments on that?”

“AJ: (laughs) Yeah, he really emphasized the ‘thick’ part.”

“JB: (laughs) Just reporting what he said.”

“AJ: I appreciate his support. The phrasing may raise a few eyebrows, but I know what he means. He recognizes my potential, and coming from someone with such an impressive rookie season, it means a lot to me.”

“JB: What has your experience been with Pete Carroll?”

“AJ: He’s fantastic. You can see why he leads winning teams. He establishes the tone for our operation as a team. It’s also great to learn from leaders like Geno Smith and Max Crosby, who embody that message in the locker room.”

“JB: Before we wrap up, I know you have a new partnership with Sharpie. Can you share a bit about that?”

“AJ: Absolutely. I need a top-notch pen to sign all my contracts, and it’s exciting to partner with Sharpie for such significant moments in my career.”

“JB: Thank you for your time today. I hope we can connect again during the season.”

“AJ: Thank you!”