Ashton Jeanty, Despite Growing up in Texas, Has No Idea Who Vince Young Is

Jeanty needs to brush up on his NFL knowledge before his next rodeo.

Ashton Jeanty, Despite Growing up in Texas, Has No Idea Who Vince Young Is

Vince Young and Ashton Jeanty (Image via IMAGO)

It’s a four-hour drive from Houston to Ashton Jeanty’s home in Lone Star, Texas. However, shockingly, the Las Vegas Raiders running back failed to recognize Vince Young.

Young was a big name around the time Jeanty was born in Texas. He dominated the college scene with the Texas Longhorns, revitalizing the dual-threat quarterback position.

However, Jeanty did not recognize the 2005 BCS Champion, Maxwell Award, Davey Award, and Manning Award winner. Jeanty was a special guest on Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown’s podcast, where he had to identify players with their photos.

Initially, Jeanty mistook Young for former Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb. Amon-Ra’s brother, Equinamous, joked that the Lions receiver confused Young with McNabb during the dress rehearsal because of the Eagles jersey.

After a couple of hiccups, Jeanty half recognized Young, saying he was the former “Texas quarterback.” The St. Browns dropped a little hint to make it easier to guess.

Jeanty remembered Young was in the running for the Heisman Trophy. Young missed out on becoming the best player in college football by a narrow margin, similar to Jeanty, who lost the battle to former Colorado unicorn Travis Hunter.

Eventually, Amon-Ra revealed it was Vince Young, and Jeanty reluctantly nodded in acceptance.

Equinamous joked, “He’s not a real Texas guy.”

Jeanty instantly recognized former Rams running back Todd Gurley. Perhaps the St. Brown brothers should have chosen players from recent memory because Jeanty also found it hard to remember Brett Favre’s name.

The St. Brown brothers chose Baker Mayfield, recreating Favre’s iconic draft day picture, and asked to name the two players. Jeanty knew who Mayfield was, but it took him a while to guess the Green Bay Packers’ legend’s name.

Ashton Jeanty revealed who the biggest leader is at the Raiders besides Maxx Crosby

The Jeanty magic swept across the Nevada desert when the Raiders selected him sixth overall. General manager John Spytek drafted the Boise State graduate because he found similarities between Jeanty and Super Bowl winner Saquon Barkley.

Ashton Jeanty, Despite Growing up in Texas, Has No Idea Who Vince Young Is
Ashton Jeanty (Image via IMAGO)

It’s a big shoe Jeanty needs to fill at the Vegas franchise. Despite being a rookie, the Raiders will rely on him to lead the running back corps. When asked who the main leader in the offense is, Jeanty took quarterback Geno Smith’s name.

On the offensive side, Geno [Smith], of course, just being the quarterback leading everybody, communicating. It’s good to have a guy on both sides of the ball to lead your team.

Ashton Jeanty told Athlon Sports

The Raiders traded for Smith a couple of months ago, but given his seniority and previous relations with new head coach Pete Carroll, Smith is the ideal choice as the offensive leader.

Maxx Crosby is the biggest name on the defense. Crosby was worried that the Raiders would miss out on Jeanty because the Jaguars reportedly were massive admirers of the 2024 Heisman runner-up. The Jaguars took Hunter, and Jeanty fell to the Raiders.

Jeanty played 40 games for the Boise State Broncos in college. He rushed for 4769 yards from 750 carries and scored 50 touchdowns. The Raiders will begin their 2025 campaign against the New England Patriots in Boston.

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