Total Pro Sports
Ashton Jeanty did not set the world alight on his professional debut, and social media might never let him forget it.
The Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back made his first preseason appearance against the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday after being selected No. 6 overall out of Boise State earlier this year.
His outing fell way short of expectations, given his incredible college career, which ended with 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns in his final season.
The Heisman runner-up made just three carries for -1 yard, gaining three yards on his first carry but getting tackled for losses on the other two that followed. The Raiders offensive line had difficulty creating passing lanes, making it impossible for Jeanty to make an impact.
He also wasn’t targeted in the air, making no receptions, but he did contribute with some blocks in pass protection.
The reactions rolled in on social media following the underwhelming debut. You can check out some of the best of them below:
Despite the above, folks did recognize that Ashton Jeanty’s subdued performance resulted more from a substandard offensive line than a lack of talent.
Hopefully, he gets to show what he’s really capable of in upcoming games as head coach Pete Carroll and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly are expected to give him more minutes in the preseason fixtures that follow.
The Raiders will play the San Francisco 49ers next Saturday, and the first-year RB will be keen on showing he can be as effective in the NFL as he was in college.
Vegas signed Ashton Jeanty to a four-year deal worth $35.9 million, including a $22.75 million signing bonus. His debut was disappointing and hardly matched the hype, but he should prove a viable acquisition in the long run.
