Ashton Jeanty is making some noise this season in the college football scene. There is no denying that the junior running back of Boise State is making some hay in the destruction of the opposition’s defenses, as he has already gained 845 rushing yards in just four games. It’s wild to think that Jeanty, a 5’9”, 215-pound powerhouse from Jacksonville, FL, is in the same conversation as one of the all-time greats.

Cumulatively, in season 2024, Jeanty has performed brilliantly. Out of an attempt spread of 82, he has an average yards per carry at 10.3 while finding the end zone 13 times. The aggressive style and speed he combines can be hard to see anywhere, and he’s already turning himself into a global icon. This is a full-fledged showcase of skills and abilities that make fans and scouts perceive him as a genuine potential Heisman contender.

As for his statistics, he is also above the great Barry Sanders who managed to have 813 yards in the first four games played in the year 1988. John Mallory shared this via his X account and made such comments regarding this amazing accomplishment, “This is real.”

Boise State’s schedule hasn’t been a walk in the park either. Jeanty started the year by facing the Georgia Southern head-on, and he finished the game with 267 rushing yards in a high-scoring game of 56-45. He then bounced back to shoot 192  yards against No. 7 Oregon though the team lost narrowly 37-34. Nevertheless, he did not permit that failure to make him give up. Jeanty, however, did not stop there and continued the action. He recorded 127 yards against Portland State and then erupted for 259 yards against Washington State. He is showing that he can perform against the best, and even be a difference-maker when it matters.

Now let’s move into what this does for Jeanty’s Heisman campaign status. When you look at these numbers 845 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns in just four games, it is easy to understand his purpose. Jeanty is not only rewriting the record books; he is also rewriting what is possible. The Heisman Trophy is often awarded to players who don’t just excel but also change the course of their teams’ seasons. With his busser and consistent scoring touch, Jeanty deserves to be considered for the award.

Ashton Jeanty’s Heisman case: More than just numbers

The historical context of Jeanty’s achievement makes the case even stronger. It is a well-known name in college football history. And for that reason, it is extremely difficult to break his record for the season. That’s right – Barry Sanders took home the Heisman Trophy and still has one of the greatest college careers of all time. Therefore, the same burning spirit of Jeanty is tamped down within him which pictures the outlines of dominance that turn people into Heisman winners.

When it comes to football, Barry Sanders is undoubtedly one of the most revered football players. In the history of the National Football League, he holds the record of being one of the most amazing runners ever. Sanders became the first running back in history to rush for over 1000 yards. The winning of the 1988 Heisman trophy which he got while at Oklahoma State created a foundation for a professional career and fame. Sanders was able to become only the third player to achieve a 2000-yard rushing season, accomplishing 2053 yards rushing and pulling in 33 passes for 305 yards. This exceptional performance made him win the league’s Most Valuable Player award in 1997.

Sanders had such great success was mostly because of the way he played. Even though he was not the tallest running back standing at 5’8 and weighing approximately 200 pounds, he used his wide frame and quick feet to slide out of the way of defenders. Tackling him was as impossible as plucking an apple from the tallest tree. Atlanta Falcons cornerback D.J. Johnson once said about him, “He makes you miss so bad, you kind of look up in the stands and wonder if anybody’s looking at you”. And Jeanty being compared to a Hall of Famer, it just tells us, how much potential this young lad has!

And as he maintains this level of performance, the spotlight will become hotter and better. All weight is falling on his shoulders and all the dying seconds are attracting more Heisman buzz in him. Fans are already imagining possibilities of Jeanty lifting that trophy at the end of the season. Enough of that, every athlete knows that if this situation continues, his career is not just his, rather, it is a career that can be remembered even without him in the picture.

Jeanty is not just part of the chatter, but a prominent part of it. Let’s not beat around the bush; if he keeps performing at this level and still breaks records, it won’t come as a shocker if he is who will be standing on that Heisman stage. Barry Sanders’ name might have dominated the headlines for years, but Ashton Jeanty is writing his own story, and it’s one for the ages.

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