Yardbarker
Yardbarker
x
Raiders' Ashton Jeanty Already Being Molded
Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty poses after being selected by the Las Vegas Raiders as the number six pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field. Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Las Vegas Raiders first-round draft selection Ashton Jeanty has all the abilities to become one of the biggest faces in the National Football League. But before we get ahead of ourselves, let's remember that even the best of players with God-given talents need to be molded into professional football players.

Jeanty is coming off one of the best running back seasons the college football world has seen in a long time. Looking to carry over the success from Boise State to Las Vegas, there are parts to his game that the Raiders have already addressed during the rookie minicamp.

As Jeanty revealed to Kay Adams in a recent interview, new Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly has talked to the new Raiders running back about his stance.

"Sometimes you gotta go with the flow," said Jeanty. "What's crazy is Chip Kelly he comes up to me first day of rookie mini-camp. He's like, you play basketball? You ever play basketball? I'm like, yeah, I played basketball. You know, I could dunk. All that. He's like okay. Show me how you would guard me." Jeanty recalled.

After mimicking the way he was standing, showing off how he would guard Coach Kelly, Jeanty's new offensive coordinator had some news for him.

"He's like, 'That's exactly why you gotta be down on your running back stance'."

But like a young professional that Jeanty is, he understands the assessment.

"I gotta earn my stripes, make some plays first, but I don't think this will be the end," Jeanty said.

Jeanty has all the abilities to become a Pro Bowler this season, should all go well. With young players, such as Jeanty, needing to learn certain things about how to be successful in the NFL, even if it tweaks what they had going in college, it's important to their development.

While some fans don't like the coaching tip from Kelly, at the end of the day he is a winning offensive coordinator. Having just won a National Championship with the Ohio State Buckeyes, he is the perfect coach to instruct a rookie like Jeanty in the ways of the running back.

Tell us your thoughts and anything else when you go to our Facebook page, WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE.


This article first appeared on Las Vegas Raiders on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST

Ohio State Buckeyes are dealing with a major SEC program trying to take a key recruit right out of Columbus
General Sports

Ohio State Buckeyes are dealing with a major SEC program trying to take a key recruit right out of Columbus

Most of the focus for the Ohio State Buckeyes is on finishing the 2026 class strong before shifting attention to the 2027 cycle. Ohio State already has two key commitments in the 2027 class — five-star wide receiver Jamier Brown and four-star quarterback Brady Edmunds. The Buckeyes also have the benefit of having a talented four-star defensive lineman in their own backyard in Columbus. However, a major SEC program is trying to jump in front of them for his commitment. Tennessee Vols trying to land four-star Ohio recruit over the Buckeyes Columbus Academy (OH) defensive lineman Reinaldo Perez, a four-star prospect in the 2027 class, holds an offer from Ohio State and is a priority target. Perez already has a visit scheduled to Tennessee this fall, and the Volunteers appear ready to make a serious push in his recruitment. “Tennessee is a threat and he does have a visit set to see the Vols in the fall. But it’s pretty hard to imagine anyone beating out Ohio State here,” On3’s Greg Smith reported. Smith predicts the Buckeyes will ultimately land Perez in 2027, but notes that Tennessee is their biggest competition. Perez is also considering Florida, USC, Purdue, and Rutgers. According to the 247Sports Composite, Perez is ranked No. 212 nationally, No. 22 among defensive linemen, and No. 5 in the state of Ohio. Larry Johnson has his work cut out for him, but with Perez playing right in Columbus, it’s hard to envision the Buckeyes letting the 6-foot-4, 245-pound defender slip away if he remains a top priority. Perez will be at Ohio State for their season opener against Texas in a couple of weeks.

Yankees Announce Paul Goldschmidt News After Loss to Twins
MLB

Yankees Announce Paul Goldschmidt News After Loss to Twins

The New York Yankees won their first series of August in a three-game set against the Minnesota Twins from Monday to Wednesday, but they're still in trouble. They're only one game ahead of the Cleveland Guardians for the third and final AL Wild Card spot with six weeks left in the regular season. The Yankees beat the Twins 6-2 on Monday and 9-1 on Tuesday before losing 4-1 on Wednesday, but Tuesday's victory came at a price. First baseman Paul Goldschmidt left early and didn't play on Wednesday, a night in which New York especially needed his bat. The Yankees released an update on Goldschmidt after Wednesday night's game, via MLB.com's Bryan Hoch. The 37-year-old has a low-grade knee sprain with inflammation. He's slashing .276/.331/.422 with 10 homers and 40 RBI over 112 games. Fellow first baseman Ben Rice went 1-for-4 in Goldshmidt's stead on Wednesday. The 26-year-old is slashing .233/.326/.456 with 17 homers and 38 RBI over 101 contests. Paul Goldschmidt comments on injury Goldschmidt said that he hopes he can avoid the IL with a "short-term" absence, via Hoch. While Rice is a high-upside player in his second year, the seven-time All-Star is still a more dependable contact hitter at this point. Goldschmidt is third on the squad with 110 hits, although his younger counterpart's OPS is 30 points higher. The Yankees need the veteran back as soon as possible to help them maintain their Wild Card spot. His presence allows Rice to play catcher, which is optimal given Austin Wells's struggles. The 26-year-old is slashing just .206/.264/.408 with 15 homers and 56 RBI over 94 games. Up next for New York is a road series against the St. Louis Cardinals, Goldschmidt's former team.

Six NBA players most likely to be traded
NBA

Six NBA players most likely to be traded

NBA teams won't assemble for training camp until September, but some players may not be on those teams for long. Here are six NBA players likely to get traded in the upcoming season. 1. Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz Some NBA teams go all-in. The Utah Jazz have gone all-out, ditching veterans Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson and John Collins this summer. Their lone remaining high-priced player is Lauri Markkanen, a 2023 All-Star who has four years and $196M left on his contract. He had a down year in 2024-25, playing just 47 games and dropping to 19 points per game, but the Jazz were also holding Markkanen out so much that they got fined. Markkanen's shooting would fit on nearly any NBA team, and he's still only 28 years old. The Jazz have amassed a lot of future draft picks, but many of them aren't great — pick swaps with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves, and a 2027 Los Angeles Lakers first-rounder. Trading their Finnish superstar could get them a huge return, especially if NBA teams are seeing him dominate in EuroBasket exhibition games. 2. Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors It seems like a foregone conclusion that Jonathan Kuminga will resign with the Golden State Warriors and equally inevitable that the Warriors will then try to trade their 22-year-old forward. The only holdup is that the restricted free agent and his team can't agree on a new contract. The Warriors need to get something back for their former lottery pick, but they also need to preserve his salary slot. Kuminga and his agent couldn't work out a sign-and-trade this summer, but once free agents who signed this summer can be traded Dec. 15, far more trade options will open up. Kuminga doesn't want to be on the Warriors. The Warriors don't want to guarantee him playing time. The breakup looks like it's coming. 3. Anfernee Simons, Boston Celtics In a year where the Boston Celtics have dramatically slashed their payroll in Jayson Tatum's absence, they have a huge incentive to deal Anfernee Simons, the guard acquired from the Portland Trail Blazers in the Jrue Holiday trade. Getting rid of Simons gets them under the luxury tax, which is worth tens of millions of dollars, while also keeping the Celtics out of penalties for repeatedly being a tax team. It all depends on whether the Celtics will settle for the financial savings or hold out to get assets back for the impending free agent. But Simons is almost certainly headed somewhere. 4. P.J. Washington, Dallas Mavericks P.J. Washington was a huge part of the Dallas Mavericks' run to the NBA Finals in 2024. Unfortunately, he plays the same position as the guy the Mavericks just took with the No. 1 pick in the draft, Cooper Flagg. The Mavericks also have Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II and the newly-extended Daniel Gafford. Washington and his expiring contract are now expendable. 5. CJ McCollum/Khris Middleton, Washington Wizards The Washington Wizards took on McCollum and Middleton in trades in the past year, moves that were primarily made to shed the long-term salaries of Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma. But even though those players were both born in 1991, they should still be able to contribute to winning teams in 2025-26. The Wizards may value their veteran leadership, but they also have a roster full of recent draft picks who need playing time — and you can never have too many future draft picks.

NASCAR makes decision on victory celebrations after Connor Zilisch fall
NASCAR

NASCAR makes decision on victory celebrations after Connor Zilisch fall

One of NASCAR's brightest young stars in Connor Zilisch could miss time after falling in Victory Lane following his victory in the Aug. 9 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Watkins Glen. Zilisch slipped on the door of his No. 88 Chevrolet before suffering a hard fall in Victory Lane and breaking his collarbone. He underwent successful surgery on Tuesday, with a timetable for his return yet to be announced. Even in light of the viral incident, NASCAR will not restrict drivers from celebrating in a certain way moving forward, per NASCAR's Mike Forde. Drivers have long climbed on the roof or door of their vehicles on the frontstretch and in Victory Lane to celebrate victories, but accidents stemming from that action are rare. After winning the Cup Series race at Watkins Glen on Aug. 10, Shane van Gisbergen — who will likely be Zilisch's Cup Series teammate at Trackhouse Racing in 2026 — carefully climbed out of his No. 88 Chevrolet — something he does regularly, not just in response to Zilisch's fall. Zilisch did not race in the Cup Series race at Watkins Glen due to his injury. The Xfinity Series will return on Aug. 22 at Daytona International Speedway, with Zilisch leading the regular-season standings by seven points.

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!