Ashton Jeanty, widely considered one of the top prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft, has already shared his excitement about potentially joining the Dallas Cowboys—a move many mock drafts predict. Travis Hunter once remarked, “I mean y’all see Ashton Jeanty. It’s not like we haven’t seen a running back that’s good.” For those who doubted Jeanty’s abilities, his performance as a Heisman finalist this year serves as a strong rebuttal. Recently, Jeanty made another bold statement that has caught significant attention.
During an interview on Yahoo Sports, Jeanty, the Heisman Trophy runner-up, spoke with Caroline Fenton. During the discussion, Fenton brought up Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo’s claim about being the best running back in college football. She noted that Skattebo, who also had an outstanding season and helped lead his team to the college football playoffs, declared himself the top running back in the nation. When asked about this claim, Jeanty didn’t shy away from responding.
Jeanty acknowledged Skattebo’s talent but stood firm in his own confidence. He stated, “I think very highly of them. And that’s—you know—that’ll never change. I mean, he’s put it on tape. But all I have to say is, you turn on the film. You watch it. I ain’t gonna say too much. I don’t got to speak on it. But you turn on that film and you tell me who’s the best one.” Jeanty’s confidence in his own statistics is well-founded.
Jeanty led the NCAA FBS in rushing yards with 2,601 and scored 29 touchdowns at an average of 7.0 yards per carry. His exceptional performance earned him numerous awards, including the Doak Walker Award, the Maxwell Award, and unanimous All-American honors. Despite his achievements, Jeanty showed respect for Skattebo’s skills, describing him as a “tremendously talented player” who delivered incredible performances during the season, including in the college football playoffs.
Cam Skattebo, who also had an impressive 2024 season, finished with 1,711 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns on 293 carries, averaging 5.8 yards per carry. He also showcased his versatility by contributing as a receiver, recording 45 receptions for 605 yards and 3 touchdowns. Skattebo’s efforts were recognized with several accolades, including being named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2024 Big 12 Title Game. In the Peach Bowl, despite ASU’s loss to Texas, Skattebo was named Offensive MVP for his remarkable performance, which included 42 passing yards, 99 receiving yards, and 143 rushing yards. He accounted for 56% of ASU’s total offense in the game.
While Jeanty praised Skattebo’s achievements, his own record-breaking statistics appear to back his claim as the top running back of 2024. The debate about who truly deserves the title of the best college running back continues as fans eagerly await what these two athletes will bring to the table in 2025.