No matter your persuasions or rooting interests. The 2024 Heisman Trophy ceremony was a watershed moment for college football. A lot of prejudice and a lot of notions, both fair and fallacious, were thwarted on that podium in New York. For one, Travis Hunter’s triumph cut right through a stereotype. That the Heisman is transitioning into becoming a quarterback award. It even went to a player plying their trade in what is perceived as a “lesser” conference. Unfortunately for Ashton Jeanty, he wasn’t the one thwarting these fallacies and making history. However, he can still look forward to the next step of his football life in the NFL. Heisman or not, franchises are circling around Jeanty.

The Chinese calendar says 2024 was the year of the dragon. Over in America, it was the year of the running back. Across both top rungs of the footballing ladder, the dying position has been resuscitated back into vogue. The evolution of the game towards a more passing style was rendering even the RBs unable to express their talent. Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley in the pros are massive flag-bearers for this return to form. However, Ashton Jeanty has also epitomized this upturn. The success of Barkley and Henry definitely bodes well for Jeanty’s chances of getting picked higher in the draft come April. To help him further up Roger Goodell’s board, as many as 9 teams are eyeing him in the backfield. Let the cat-and-mouse chase begin, shall we? 

The Combine entails more than just physical and skill-based prognosis. It’s an opportunity for franchises to weigh players’ intangibles as well. Suitors of Ashton Jeanty will speak to him for the first time in an NFL setting. Weigh up his Xs and Os as well as his demeanor and poise. If you’ve seen Jeanty interview at any juncture during his Boise State days, you know he’s well-spoken. Draft analyst Trevor Sikkema, too, has acknowledged his communication skills being a feather in his cap. Now, front-office execs will witness it firsthand. Jeanty will meet with 9 teams at the Combine in Indy. That’s according to Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network. These teams are as follows, in no particular order: Bears, Chargers, Colts, Steelers, Giants, Vikings, Saints, Broncos, and Derrick Henry’s own Ravens. It seems a succession plan is already underway in Baltimore for the aging Henry.

Running backs don’t usually have long shelf lives. At least compared to the other position groups. King Henry, albeit showing no signs of slowing down, has a lot of tread on those tires. It could be a shrewd move by the Ravens to target Ashton Jeanty for a smooth transition. We’ve seen how a top-end RB can compliment Lamar Jackson’s own running threat from QB. Defenses have to contend with a 2-headed monster. Plus, the Ravens are smack-bang in the middle of a championship window and cannot afford a downturn once Father Time eventually catches up to Henry. However, they don’t pick early enough in the draft to land Jeanty ahead of 8 other suitors. Even if Baltimore is willing to pull the trigger in Round 1, it’s an unlikely scenario. Unless, of course, they trade up.

One notable absentee from the itinerary are the Cowboys. Jerry Jones’ struggles in assembling his roster were multifold last off-season. But the lack of potency in the backfield, especially in the first half of the season, was blatant. Rico Dowdle picked things up later in the year. But Jeanty is, with all due respect, a different kettle of fish. Is this another oversight by Jerry on the recruitment front, or have the Cowboys already done their homework and don’t need more assurance. Jerry isn’t one to keep his cards close to the chest, but he may be with this one. Jeanty is a Texas native and has explicitly stated he’d love to suit up for America’s team. Speaking of which, he’s also cleared his stance on whether he’ll partake in drills at the Combine down in Indy. Something not every Day 1 prospect is doing.

Ashton Jeanty announces whether he’ll participate in drills at the Combine after Shedeur Sanders sets the tone

Shedeur Sanders took part in the Flag Football exhibition game on Super Bowl weekend. This participation was actually somewhat controversial in itself, given he sat out the Shrine Bowl less than a fortnight ago. At this event, Shedeur interacted with NY Jets star cornerback Sauce Gardner. The 2022 ROTY asked Shedeur a probing question about whether he’d spoken to the Jets during his draft process. Shedeur denied having a conversation with the Jets brass. This caused Sauce Gardner to go into a bit of a rant about Shedeur and his fellow QBs. Which makes all the more sense now, given he’s not going to throw at the Combine.

“That’s what I don’t like about people like you, bro. People who really have motion at quarterback. Y’all feel like you know what’s going to happen already…your pick is locked in. I get it, said Sauce Gardner. Shedeur Sanders nodded his head in disapproval and explicitly denied having answers of which franchise he’s headed to. “They are spoiled when it comes to quarterbacks. The coach literally tells you ‘we’re drafting you’. They don’t tell you that at the corner, continued Sauce. This was obviously said in jest. But the fact that Shedeur won’t throw in Indy does suggest he’s privy to the franchise that will draft him. Well, the reasons may not be the same and more to do with fear of injury. But Ashton Jeanty will also not participate in drills. 

Jeanty will only do medical evaluations and team interviews. Although he does have 9 of them to go through, it does leave a sour taste in fans’ mouths. People will have to wait for Boise State’s Pro Day to see Jeanty in action. For now, Ashton will be focused on presenting a good account of himself at the Combine. If not with his legs, then with his words.