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Former Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty will look much different in the 2025 football season. The rookie rusher is trading out his Bronco blue for the black and silver of the Las Vegas Raiders.
His uniform won’t be the only thing transitioning as he looks ahead to his rookie year. He’ll also debut a new backfield stance in the NFL.
Jeanty was one of the great stories in the 2024 college football season, rushing for an NCAA-best 2,601 yards. That production not only booked him a ticket to the Heisman trophy ceremony in New York, but it also helped his team reach its first ever College Football Playoff.
The tailback’s battle with Travis Hunter for the title of nation’s best player headlined the fall. Viewers were enamored by his abilities to tote the rock!
Within that highlight reel, you’ll notice Ashton Jeanty’s patented backfield stance. Many compared it to that of horror movie antagonist Michael Myers.
Jeanty stood near motionless in a straight-up posture while eyeing opposing defenses before the snap. It was something that became a part of who he was as a football player. He even played into the storyline with last year’s Halloween costume!
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“I’m just back there, relaxed,” he said of the stance after an October win over Hawaii. “I’m just waiting on the play to develop so I can go ahead and score.”
Jeanty produced nightmares for a number of defensive units last season. He said his pre-snap posture helped him see the field.
While he hopes to see his production continue in Las Vegas as an NFL rookie, his new coaching staff is already making a significant change.
Chip Kelly changed Ashton Jeanty’s backfield stance.
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Videos of a more athletic, contact-ready stance emerged in the early days of training camp. No longer does the tailback stand straight up. Instead, he’s seen crouched over with his hands on his knees.
The stance allows Jeanty to jump into action more quickly, whether that be in pass protection or carrying the football. The game moves faster in the NFL. Every second counts!
He explained the reasoning further in a recent interview with Kay Adams. It was something recommended by offensive coordinator Chip Kelly.
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“Chip Kelly comes to me on the first day of rookie training camp and was like, ‘Do you play basketball?'” Jeanty recalled. “He was like, ‘Show me how you would guard me.'”
After Jeanty demonstrated a crouched defensive stance, Kelly said, “That’s exactly why you’ve got to be down in your running back stance.”
The suggestion didn’t get much pushback from Ashton Jeanty. He’s taking any and all advice moving ahead into Year 1 with the Raiders. Still, he did tease the idea of bringing the stance back as his NFL future continues. For now, the patented posture is gone!