Ashton Jeanty Sees Parallels Between Military Upbringing and NFL Draft Hurdles

Ashton Jeanty, one of the hottest prospects heading into this year’s NFL Draft, is finding that the road to pro football has a familiar feel—thanks to his dad’s Navy background. Jeanty shared that, before joining the military, his father went through an obstacle course of tests and screenings. Sound familiar? Jeanty thinks so too, comparing the pre-draft process to his father’s military days, complete with MRIs and all sorts of evaluations. Apparently, it’s not just about running fast and catching balls—there’s a lot of paperwork and poking around, too.

Jeanty got an even closer look at service life when he visited the General Mitchell Air National Guard Base in Milwaukee with his dad, as part of a USAA partnership. He admitted that while he’s a whiz at Call of Duty, the real-life version doesn’t have respawns or power-ups. For him, seeing the detail and discipline of military routines made him appreciate the precision required, both on the field and in uniform.

He highlighted how much he’s grown to understand his father’s experiences now that he’s older. The stories from his dad’s Navy days, which were once shrouded in mystery, are now coming into focus as the two share more about life at sea.

Jeanty’s not just an expert on the military mindset—he’s also been tearing up the field for Boise State, racking up the second-most rushing yards in a college football season last year, just a hair shy of Barry Sanders’ legendary record. So, if there’s anyone who’s earned their stripes ahead of the draft, it’s this guy.

Even with all the draft hype, Jeanty’s keeping his feet on the ground, grateful for both his father’s service and the support of those who wear the uniform. It seems the only thing tighter than his spin move is the bond with his dad.