Six weeks into the college football season, the frontrunners heisman trophy Many have separated themselves from the pack and focused on the big names of the Power Four conferences to win hardware at the end of the season.
However, the Mountain West Conference probably has the best player in college football right now Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty Not only is he a Heisman candidate, but he’s the guy who could break the great Barry Sanders’ NCAA single-season rushing record of 2,628 yards.
Jeanty has thrilled college football fans with his ability to make big runs and score touchdowns virtually at will. It’s not just the fans watching, Heisman Trophy-winning running back Mark Ingram II is thrilled with his performance.
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Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty, #2, strikes a Heisman pose during the second half against the Washington State Cougars at Albertsons Stadium. Boise State defeated Washington State 45–24. (Brian Lossness-Imagen Images)
“Dude is the real deal,” Ingram told Fox News Digital while discussing the partnership with the Tide for the #TideTackles NFL campaign, which has sent him and other NFL greats to different tailgates around the country.
Being out of the Power Four conferences – the SEC, ACC, Big Ten and Big XII – there was some skepticism surrounding Jeanty posting 1,031 yards with 16 rushing scores in just five games. Ingram doesn’t want to hear it.
“Everyone wants to say, ‘Who’s playing that?’ I’m like, ‘He went for 200 (yards) and four TDs on Oregon, which is a top-four team right now,'” Ingram said. “And it’s not like he’s running through big holes. Before last week’s game, he had 588 yards after contact and 44 forced tackles. So, the guy is doing a lot on his own and he’s got speed, he’s got power, he picks up pass protection, so, in my mind, he’s a complete back.
2024 Heisman watch: Ashton Jeanty, Cam Ward sit at top of leaderboard
“We have some of the best running backs in college football right now, but you can’t talk about RBs and college football without mentioning Ashton Jeanty. He’s the RB1 right now and is making a strong claim for the Heisman Trophy. Dude is special and Boise State will do that without him they wouldn’t be where they are.”
Anthony “Spice” Adams also penned his article on Jeanty, describing how he reminds him of a certain future Hall of Fame teammate during their time there. in the nfl,
“In 2000, we played the Miami (Hurricanes) and that was when everybody in Miami was there,” Adams began, referencing his time playing for Penn State. “…at running back there was Clinton Portis, Willis McGahee and then Frank Gore. This kid is basically a healthy Frank Gore. This is what he would have looked like if Frank Gore hadn’t torn his ACL. This is who I remember him “Low center of gravity. The guy is standing straight in the backfield, his hands are not on his hips.”
Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, #2, runs away from Utah State safety Malik McConico, #21, on a 75-yard touchdown run in the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, October 5, 2024 in Boise. idaho. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Jeanty’s unconventional stance before the snap is the least viral thing he’s done this season, as Ingram cites all the tackles he’s bounced off and gained yards due to his ability to fight through contact , especially when it’s time to get to the end zone.
While Jeanty leads the nation in rushing and touchdowns, Ingram feels that Boise State as a team will have to achieve a certain feat to become a true Heisman contender at the end of the day.
“He’s going to have to keep this momentum going to win this one,” Ingram said. “But at the same time, as a team, Boise State has to make it – they have to get a Group of Five bid to the College Football Playoff. If he continues at this pace, he’s on the verge of breaking Barry Sanders’ single-season record. “But Boise State does well as a team and they get a bid, I think they’ll have a legitimate chance to win it.”
To put into context what Jeanty is doing, Ingram’s Heisman season with Alabama in 2009 had him rushing for 487 yards with six scores on 83 carries in his first five games. Even Derrick Henry, another great Crimson Tide player, who won it in 2015, and USC’s Reggie BushArguably one of the best college careers of all time, Jeanty had less production than that.
He will face some stiff competition – Alabama quarterback Jalen Miller and Colorado cornerback Travis Hunter are the frontrunners. However, as Ingram and Adams watch along with the rest of college football fans, he is doing things that can’t be explained on the field or on the stat sheet.
And he has many more games to add to his extremely impressive resume heading into the 2024 campaign.
Mark Ingram II and Anthony “Spice” Adams attend the New Orleans Saints tailgate party. (tide)
Treating Tailgate Stains with Tide
Now retired, Ingram and Adams both enjoy attending tailgates before big games each weekend, and that’s exactly what they’re doing with the Tide, as they’ve hosted various teams from Kansas City to Buffalo and New Orleans during the NFL season. Have interacted with fans. To see how messy they can get with local foods and customs.
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Adams said, “I think it’s unfair that Tide is partnering with guys like me and Mark Ingram. You know there are going to be stains on these tailgates, so it makes sense that Tide would partner with those things.” Will be there to deal with.”
Ingram said, “Both of us, obviously playing for so many years, you don’t really get a chance to tailgate and go back to New Orleans and be able to deal with these scars with the Tide. I had my boy Spice with me. There was a whole band with them. We had po’boys and stuff. We had food and a lot of energy.”
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