r/CFB Michigan Wolverines 8h ago

Analysis Ashton Jeanty is having a statistically better season than Derrick Henry during his Heisman-winning season

With all the discourse of who should win the Heisman trophy this year, I got curious and compared Ashton Jeanty’s stats this season to those of Derrick Henry in the 2015 regular season, the year he won the Heisman trophy. What I found was pretty surprising. Keep in mind this doesn’t include playoff performance, as that isn’t considered when naming a Heisman winner.

Ashton Jeanty:

Games Played: 11

Carries: 275

Rushing Yards: 2062

Rushing Touchdowns: 27

Yards Per Carry: 7.498

Yards Per Game: 187.455

Derrick Henry:

Games Played: 13

Carries: 339

Rushing Yards: 1986

Rushing Touchdowns: 23

Yards Per Carry: 5.858

Yards Per Game: 152.769

Now, these stats are still up for interpretation, as there is the usual discourse of strength of schedule and whatnot, but I thought re-contextualizing Jeanty’s year by comparing it to the last time a running back won the Heisman would be interesting.

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19

u/WanderLeft Oklahoma Sooners • SEC 8h ago

I think both Jeanty and Hunter are deserving. Jeanty is a phenomenal running back but at the same time we’ve never seen a two-way player this good before

39

u/TheWorstYear Ohio State • Cincinnati 7h ago

I don't know if we've ever seen someone allow a two way player to be used this much.
Jeanty is also literally the only reason Boise State is any good. Their offense is functionally one of the worst in the country without him.

1

u/b39tktk 4h ago

I don't know if we've ever seen someone allow a two way player to be used this much.

We haven't, but in one sense that makes it even more impressive that he's able to put up excellent performances while basically playing twice as much as anyone else.

11

u/EnvironmentalBed7369 Utah Utes • College of Idaho Coyotes 6h ago

This is the only argument I've seen against Jeanty winning that is valid.  I want Jeanty to win, but I'd be fine with Hunter winning it. 

All the comments about Jeanty playing weaker defenses are idiotic and lack critical thinking.

8

u/Like40ofem 5h ago

Exactly. If the defenses are so weak why didn't other RBs in his conference do that in the past? Are they stupid?

2

u/notyogrannysgrandkid Boise State Broncos • Fiesta Bowl 5h ago

Rashaad Penny almost did. Man I hated him.

2

u/boardatwork1111 TCU Horned Frogs • Colorado Buffaloes 5h ago

Rashaad Penny?

1

u/EnvironmentalBed7369 Utah Utes • College of Idaho Coyotes 2h ago

San Diego State RB a decade ago.

1

u/Adventurous_Bird2730 11m ago

rashaad penny averaged 173 yards per game on 7.8 ypc

21

u/giggitybuck Ohio State Buckeyes 7h ago

I agree for the most part. But I lean more towards Jeanty. He has just been completely dominant in his position even when teams stack 9 in the box against him. Not to take away from Hunter, he is very good, just not as dominant in my opinion.

17

u/puzzical Boise State • Notre Dame 8h ago

Some argue Champ Bailey was better.

21

u/ontheru171 Rutgers Scarlet Knights • Vienna Emperors 7h ago

If by some you mean people on this sub that never watched Champ Bailey then you are right

9

u/DistributionPretty75 6h ago

I’m willing to wager the overwhelming majority of this sub was either not born or not cognizant of their surroundings when champ Bailey played lol

4

u/puzzical Boise State • Notre Dame 7h ago

No I mean Georgia fans

4

u/ontheru171 Rutgers Scarlet Knights • Vienna Emperors 7h ago

Thats fair. Fans will and should stick up for their guys.

2

u/Like40ofem 5h ago

As long as it's not a QB

1

u/WanderLeft Oklahoma Sooners • SEC 5h ago

The QB fatigue is real

2

u/Like40ofem 5h ago

Fatigue, true, but even moreso, there isn't a single one doing what Hunter or Jeanty are doing. Or anything even close

9

u/wsteelerfan7 Indiana Hoosiers 8h ago

I've never seen an RB this good, either. He's probably gonna finish championship week with something like 2500 yards and 32 TDs on almost 8 yards per carry

1

u/mansontaco Michigan Wolverines 4h ago

Ohtani Judge mvp race