With Ashton Jeanty now in the NFL after a historic 2024 season (2,601 rushing yards, 29 touchdowns, Heisman runner-up), Boise State looks to young star Sire Gaines to carry the torch. Fully healthy after ankle surgery and a soft-tissue injury, Gaines is now back in full pads and ready to emerge as the team’s featured back for the 2025 season.
Gaines already embracing Jeanty’s legacy
Gaines didn’t shy away from the daunting task of replacing Jeanty, he welcomed it. “Everything that he had, I want”, he said, adding that he embraces the pressure so long as he can do his best for the team.
Gaines’ confidence is rooted in Jeanty’s approach off the field. He learned the importance of body care and recovery. Jeanty was often the first athlete in the training room following injuries, which Gaines now uses as a blueprint for excellence.
Mentally, Gaines filled his offseason with film study and rehab, “Eleven months…just praying, grinding in the dark”, he reflected. Now back in full participation at fall camp, the Boise State coaching staff has made his return a focal point of the offense.
A formidable backfield rotation emerges
While Gaines headlines the returning rotation, Boise State boasts a deep and diverse group of rushers ready to share in the workload. Fresno State transfer Malik Sherrod, junior Breezy Dubar, and sophomore Dylan Riley round out a robust corps that head coach Spencer Danielson called a “four-headed monster”.
Sherrod brings veteran experience and versatility, earning praise for his spring and fall camp performances. Quarterback Maddux Madsen called him “electric”, and defensive coordinator Nate Potter noted his multi-dimensional values as a runner, receiver, and returner.
Dubar and Riley contribute speed and explosiveness, creating a complementary mix of skill sets. Accoring to SI coverage, the group may not replicate Jeanty’s historic numbers in total, but together they’ll keep Boise State among FBS’s elite rushing programs.
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