Klint Kubiak’s Challenge Could Spark Ashton Jeanty’s Breakout Season

Raiders head coach Klint Kubaik will put more pressure on second year running back Ashton Jeanty to unlock his full potential.

Klint Kubiak’s Challenge Could Spark Ashton Jeanty’s Breakout Season

Ashton Jeanty and Klint Kubiak inside the circle (Image via IMAGO/X)

In Short
  • Ashton Jeanty had a standout college career with 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns in his final season at Boise State.
  • Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak plans to challenge Jeanty and maximize his playing time in the upcoming season.
  • The Raiders drafted running back Mike Washington Jr. and signed undrafted free agent Roman Hemby to ensure quality backups for Jeanty.

The hype surrounding Ashton Jeanty has died down, but that doesn’t mean it’s completely gone. Jeanty had one of the greatest college football seasons any running back has ever had. During his final year with the Boise State Broncos football team, Jeanty registered 374 carries for 2601 yards and scored a staggering 29 touchdowns.

Despite his historic numbers, many doubted whether he’s capable of replicating them in the NFL, given that he played in a less competitive Mountain West conference. Regardless, the Las Vegas Raiders drafted Jeanty sixth overall last year.

Jeanty struggled to stitch together consistent performances. However, even the most cynical critic could see that the 22-year-old has the skills to be a great player. And if anyone can unlock his true potential, then it’s none other than the Raiders’ new head coach, Klint Kubiak.

Speaking with reporters earlier this week, Kubiak announced that he has big plans for Jeanty.

We want to put a lot of pressure on [running back] Ashton [Jeanty]. The next guy that steps up, whoever that may be, that’s going to be seen here in practice, OTAs, and training camp, but we think we should continue to challenge Ashton and get more out of him.

Klint Kubiak said via the Raiders’ official website

Last year, Kubiak called the offense for the Seattle Seahawks, who won the Super Bowl. Seattle running back Kenneth Walker finished the year with 221 carries for 1027 yards and 5 touchdowns.

In the playoffs, he rushed for 313 yards and scored 4 touchdowns. The league officials selected Walker as the Super Bowl MVP for recording 27 carries for 135 yards. After leaving the Seahawks, Walker signed a $15 million per year contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. Walker is just one example of how Kubiak develops RBs.

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Klint Kubiak emphasized the importance of quality backups behind Ashton Jeanty

In the last decade or so, NFL teams have adapted the two-running-back system. The Detroit Lions, for a while, used Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery interchangeably until Montgomery left.

Klint Kubiak’s Challenge Could Spark Ashton Jeanty’s Breakout Season
Ashton Jeanty (Image via IMAGO)

Jeanty prefers the Christian McCaffrey system, because he doesn’t want to miss any snap. The San Francisco 49ers’ star rusher had 2100+ all-purpose yards in 2025. However, more snaps create the risk of wear and tear. And McCaffrey has suffered several injuries during his time in the Bay Area.

To make sure Jeanty doesn’t end up missing time due to long-term injuries, the Raiders need to have solid backups.

It’s important to have a quality second back, but the best player has got to play, and we’ve got to get them on the field as much as we can. You look at [49ers running back] Christian McCaffrey, his play-snap percentage is high. So, those great backs, they don’t want to come off the field.

Kubiak said

Keeping that in mind, Kubiak and general manager John Spytek drafted Arkansas alum Mike Washington Jr. 122nd overall (fourth round). The Raiders further signed undrafted free agent Roman Hemby. Hemby was teammates with the first overall pick, Fernando Mendoza, at the Indiana Hoosiers, who won the college football championship final against Miami.

Ashton Jeanty gives his honest opinion on Fernando Mendoza

Mendoza transferred to Indiana ahead of the 2025 season and led the Hoosiers to an unbeaten season. Individually, he won the Heisman Trophy, given to the best college football player.

A rookie, but he did some special things in college. And he’s going to continue to learn and help lead as well.

Jeanty said

Mendoza is unlikely to start in week one. That’s because the Raiders signed veteran Pro Bowler Kirk Cousins on a multi-year deal, and Kubiak is more inclined to give Mendoza the time to learn his playbook. Until then, Cousins will man the helm.

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