Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty after being chosen by the Las Vegas Raiders, April 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
As the 2025 NFL Draft came to a close, a total of 257 selections had been made during the three-day football extravaganza. Two of those picks were of former Boise State Broncos, a team that won 12 games and was the No. 3 seed in the College Football Playoff: running back Ashton Jeanty and defensive end Ahmed Hassanein.
Jeanty went No. 6 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders while Hassanein went in the sixth round to the Detroit Lions. Both picks, however, made history.
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Jeanty became the highest-drafted Bronco in Boise State history. The Raiders, who finished last in the NFL in rushing yards per game (79.8) and yards per rush (3.6), were in desperate need of a dynamic running back with big-play ability. That’s just what they’re getting in Jeanty.
His 2024 campaign was one of the greatest single-season performances in college football history for a running back. He rushed for an astounding 2,601 yards (second only to Barry Sanders’ 2,628 in 1988) and finished second in Heisman Trophy voting in December.
When asked moments after exiting the draft stage to reflect on what he’d say to his 10-year-old self, Jeanty offered some words of wisdom.
“Just continue to trust in God and your abilities, and stay disciplined,” he said. “All your goals and dreams are accomplish-able.”
During his introductory press conference with the Raiders, Jeanty was asked about his faith.
“[Faith is] everything,” Jeanty responded. “That’s what I’ve been rooted in. That’s what helped me get to where I’m at in this point. I’m just thankful for that relationship with the Man upstairs because it’s given me so many opportunities.”
During his legendary season last fall, Jeanty was featured in a video with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) in which he discussed his faith.
“I like to say that I’m a Christian cleverly disguised as an All-American running back,” Jeanty said in the video. “I’ve learned that God has blessed me with amazing talents. I’ve just been able to do a lot of great things with it, but at the same time, not losing yourself in it and understanding that my identity is in Christ.”
He continued later: “This (Boise) community has helped me grow tremendously. It’s very welcoming, it’s not forceful, it’s not aggressive in any type of way. It’s the way God would want it to be, and I could see — even before stepping foot on this campus — that God had His hands on this program. I could see that Christianity was a big thing here and that guys were real big on their faith. I learned to embrace that, and all the guys and people around the facility have embraced me.”
Last August, as his faith grew, Jeanty underwent the sacrament of baptism, and Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson had the honor of submerging Jeanty under the water.
Meanwhile, a couple days and a few rounds after Jeanty was picked, the Lions made Hassanein the first Egyptian ever drafted into the NFL.
“It means the world to me. I can’t describe how I’m feeling right now,” Hassanein said in a video interview with media members after getting drafted. “It’s a dream come true, and I couldn’t pick a better team. I’m so grateful, I’m so honored, I’m so blessed to be a Detroit Lion. I’m just super grateful. It means the world to me, seriously.”
Later, when asked about being the first Egyptian-born player ever drafted, Hassanein pointed to Christ.
“Just hearing you say that (I’m the first Egyptian drafted), it brings me so much sense of gratitude and gratefulness that the Lord has put me in. All glory to Jesus, man. I’m just happy, I’m just grateful, and I’m just ready to get to work.”
Hassanein was born in the United States but moved to Egypt at the age of 6 with his father. Ten years later, he had forgotten the English language and American culture, yet was highly ranked in CrossFit. After a visit from his half-brother, Cory Besch, who was a football coach in the United States, Hassanein moved with him to California. He left most of his family in Egypt and picked up football for the first time in his life. Despite his lack of experience and developing English, he turned himself into a three-star recruit and committed to Coach Danielson and Boise State ahead of the 2021 season.
It was perhaps the best decision of his life.
“[My time at Boise State] taught me so much, other than being a football player and a pass rusher,” Hassanein — who converted from Islam to Christianity — said on the media call. “It taught me how to be a man. A man of God. A man of honor. A man of respect.”
It’s a message he reiterated after Boise State’s CFP quarterfinal loss to Penn State.
“I just want to start off and say all glory to Jesus Christ — He’s the true champion,” Hassanein said in that postgame press conference. Then, he addressed Danielson.
“Coach D, you changed my life. You changed my life. I did not know God until I got to Boise State. I serve a true champion. Jesus Christ is the only true God. He died and rose from the dead three days later. That’s the Champion that I serve. Thank you, Coach D. Seriously, you changed my life.”
Moments after making NFL Draft history, Hassanein added to his incredible day by proposing to his girlfriend, Payson.
Both Jeanty and Hassanein made history during the 2025 NFL Draft, and now the three-year college teammates part ways to head to different regions of the country and begin their pro football journey. Yet deeper than all that, they know they are bonded forever in the body of Christ.
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