Ashton Jeanty 'an Absolute War Daddy' amid 2024 Heisman Race, Says Boise State HC

Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson reached deep into college football vernacular to describe star running back and Heisman Trophy candidate Ashton Jeanty.

Danielson called the junior "an absolute war daddy" after he ran for 217 yards and a touchdown on 31 carries in the Broncos' 28-7 win over Hawai'i.

"He's the best player in the country," the coach said. "Those were tough yards. They're the number one ranked defense in our conference for a reason. Those guys flew around, they had a great plan of attack and he just kept battling, kept battling."

For those unfamiliar with the "war daddy" moniker, Slate's Josh Levin provided a helpful explainer in 2005 and said there wasn't one universal definition for the distinction.

"Recruiting experts, fans, and coaches all agree that they don't come along too often," Levin wrote. "When a war daddy does arrive, he must combine elite ability with extraordinary toughness. Many picture a dominant, run-stuffing defensive tackle. But while most war daddies do play defense, they are in rare circumstances seen on the offensive side of the ball."

Jeanty certainly seems worthy of the superlative.

The 5'9", 215-pound back has run for an FBS-high 1,248 yards and 17 touchdowns. He's nearly averaging a first down (9.9 yards) every time he carries the ball.

Boise State will play 14 games this year if it qualifies for the Mountain West title game. With 208 rushing yards per contest, Jeanty is on pace to break Barry Sanders' single-season rushing record (2,628 yards), and he'd surpass that total even if he sat out the Broncos' bowl game.

Maintaining his current production could also put Jeanty in line for the Heisman Trophy. He's arguably at the head of the pack right now and will become an even bigger favorite if Colorado star Travis Hunter is sidelined for any period of time thanks to the shoulder injury he suffered Saturday.

Regardless of whether he wins the Heisman or breaks Sanders' record, Jeanty is having a season to remember.