Boise State Makes History: Ashton Jeanty and Ahmed Hassanein Selected in 2025 NFL Draft

BOISE, Idaho — Boise State football celebrated a landmark day at the 2025 NFL Draft, as two former Broncos, running back Ashton Jeanty and edge rusher Ahmed Hassanein, heard their names called on one of the sport’s biggest stages.

Ashton Jeanty: A Record-Breaking Path to the Las Vegas Raiders

Ashton Jeanty was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders with the No. 6 overall pick, making him the highest-drafted player in Boise State history and the highest-drafted running back since Saquon Barkley in 2018.

The Raiders, seeking to rejuvenate their ground attack after finishing last in rushing yards in 2024, targeted Jeanty to replace former Pro Bowler Josh Jacobs, who departed for the Green Bay Packers. Jeanty's addition is expected to be critical to Las Vegas' offensive rebuild.

Historic 2024 Season at Boise State

Jeanty capped his Boise State career with a historic 2024 season, rushing for 2,601 yards — the second-most in FBS single-season history, 28 yards short of Barry Sanders' 1988 record.

Jeanty also scored 50 rushing touchdowns in 2024, a staggering achievement that solidified his place among college football’s elite.

He set records for yards after contact (1,970), most missed tackles forced (164), and achieved the highest Pro Football Focus rushing grade (96.6) of the College Football Playoff era, according to PFF College.

Career Achievements

During his time on The Blue, Jeanty:

• Became Boise State’s all-time leader in rushing yards (4,769)

• Set program records for rushing touchdowns (50), yards per carry (6.36), and 100-yard rushing games (22)

• Won the Maxwell Award, Doak Walker Award, Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, and Bobby Bowden Trophy

• Was named a consensus All-American and two-time Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year

NFL Outlook

Scouts project Jeanty as a complete three-down back, praised for his explosiveness, vision, pass-catching ability, and pass protection skills. He is expected to have an immediate impact in Las Vegas.

Ahmed Hassanein: From Cairo to the Detroit Lions

In the sixth round, with the 196th overall pick, the Detroit Lions selected edge rusher Ahmed Hassanein, a moment that made history beyond the football field.

Hassanein became the first Egyptian ever drafted into the NFL, a milestone celebrated across the football world.

Draft Day Emotion and Celebration

Upon receiving the draft call from Lions head coach Dan Campbell, Hassanein delivered an emotional promise:"Coach, I will die for you. I just want you to believe in me. I'll die on that field for you. I promise I will."

Moments later, surrounded by friends and family in Boise, Hassanein proposed to his long-time girlfriend, adding a personal milestone to his historic day.

Career Highlights at Boise State

Across 49 games as a Bronco, Hassanein recorded:

• 119 total tackles

• 35 tackles for loss

• 24 sacks (fourth-most in Boise State history)

• 3 forced fumbles

In his standout senior season (2024), he posted 48 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks, finishing third in the Mountain West and tied for 16th nationally in sacks.

Hassanein’s accolades include two First-Team All-Mountain West selections, four Academic All-Mountain West honors, and a 2023 Academic All-America second-team award. He was also a team captain and a finalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year award.

A Trailblazing Journey

Born in the United States and raised in Egypt, Hassanein initially excelled as a crossbow athlete before returning to America at 18 to pursue football. Inspired by NFL superstar Aaron Donald, he began playing organized football in 2019 and rapidly rose through the ranks.

He became the first Egyptian to play FBS football, the first to participate in the NFL Scouting Combine, and now, the first to be drafted into the NFL.

Analysts view Hassanein as a high-motor, developmental edge rusher with intriguing upside, joining a Detroit defensive front led by Aidan Hutchinson.

A Legacy That Continues to Grow

The selections of Ashton Jeanty and Ahmed Hassanein reinforce Boise State’s reputation for developing NFL-caliber talent across all positions.

With a record-breaking running back and a history-making edge rusher now headed to the pros, the Bronco legacy extends stronger, and more global, than ever before.