Ollie Gordon II vs. Ashton Jeanty: Unpacking the Sensational 2023 College Football Seasons

The 2023 college football season was illuminated by the exceptional talents of several running backs, with Oklahoma State's Ollie Gordon II and Boise State's Ashton Jeanty prominently figuring in discussions about the nation's best. Both sophomores delivered performances that not only captivated fans but also solidified their positions as top prospects. This analysis compares their stellar 2023 seasons to determine who might have had the edge.

Highlights of the 2023 Showdown

Ollie Gordon II: Crowned the FBS rushing king with over 1,700 yards and 21 touchdowns, earning him the prestigious 2023 Doak Walker Award.
Ashton Jeanty: Showcased elite all-purpose ability, particularly excelling as a receiver out of the backfield, and demonstrated remarkable efficiency with high yards after contact.
A Tale of Two Titans: While Gordon garnered more national awards in 2023 for his rushing dominance, Jeanty's comprehensive offensive contributions and efficiency made him a formidable force, setting the stage for his own future accolades.

Ollie Gordon II: Oklahoma State's Dominant Force

Record-Breaking Rushing Dominance

Ollie Gordon II's 2023 season was nothing short of spectacular, establishing him as the premier running back in college football. He led the entire Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) with a remarkable 1,732 rushing yards on 285 carries. His scoring prowess was equally impressive, as he found the end zone 21 times on the ground, a figure that also topped the FBS charts. Gordon consistently gashed defenses, averaging a robust 6.1 yards per carry and becoming the sixth player in Oklahoma State history to surpass 1,700 rushing yards in a single season.

Ollie Gordon II running the ball for Oklahoma State

Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State's leading rusher, during the 2023 season.

Versatility Beyond Rushing

Beyond his ground game excellence, Gordon was a significant contributor in Oklahoma State's passing attack. He hauled in 39 receptions for 330 yards and another touchdown. This multifaceted skill set brought his total yards from scrimmage to an impressive 2,062 yards, showcasing his ability to impact the game in various ways and underscoring his value as a true three-down back.

A Season Laden with Accolades

Gordon's phenomenal 2023 campaign was recognized with a plethora of prestigious awards. He was the recipient of the 2023 Doak Walker Award, presented annually to the nation's top college running back. Furthermore, he earned unanimous All-American honors, was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year by both coaches and the Associated Press, and received the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award. His outstanding performance also placed him 7th in the Heisman Trophy voting, a testament to his national impact.

Ashton Jeanty: Boise State's All-Purpose Dynamo

Dynamic Rushing and Receiving Threat

Ashton Jeanty emerged as one of the most versatile and exciting players in college football during the 2023 season. For Boise State, he compiled 1,347 rushing yards on 220 carries, averaging an excellent 6.12 yards per attempt, and scored 14 rushing touchdowns. What truly set Jeanty apart was his exceptional ability as a receiver. He caught 41 passes for a remarkable 569 yards and 5 touchdowns. This dual-threat capability resulted in 1,916 total yards from scrimmage and 19 total touchdowns, making him a constant headache for opposing defenses.

Ashton Jeanty running with the football for Boise State

Ashton Jeanty showcasing his dynamic running style for Boise State in 2023.

Master of Efficiency and Elusiveness

Jeanty was not just productive; he was incredibly efficient and difficult to bring down. He reportedly averaged an impressive 5.3 yards after contact per carry and was credited with forcing a significant number of missed tackles, showcasing his power, balance, and elusiveness. While he did have five fumbles in 2023, an area noted for improvement, his overall impact through broken tackles and consistent gains after initial contact highlighted his physical dominance.

A Star on the Rise

While Ashton Jeanty did not garner the same national awards as Gordon in the 2023 season, his performance firmly established him as a premier talent. His exceptional 2023 campaign laid a strong foundation for future recognition, which included him winning the Doak Walker Award in the subsequent 2024 season. His consistent high-level play for Boise State made him a well-respected name in college football circles and a highly touted prospect.

2023 Head-to-Head: A Statistical Deep Dive

To directly compare their incredible 2023 seasons, the following table breaks down key statistical categories for Ollie Gordon II and Ashton Jeanty:

Metric	Ollie Gordon II (Oklahoma State)	Ashton Jeanty (Boise State)	Advantage (2023)
Rushing Yards	1,732 (FBS Leader)	1,347	Ollie Gordon II
Rushing Touchdowns	21 (FBS Leader)	14	Ollie Gordon II
Avg. Yards Per Carry	6.10	6.12	Ashton Jeanty (Marginal)
Receptions	39	41	Ashton Jeanty
Receiving Yards	330	569	Ashton Jeanty
Receiving Touchdowns	1	5	Ashton Jeanty
Total Scrimmage Yards	2,062	1,916	Ollie Gordon II
Total Touchdowns (Rushing + Receiving)	22	19	Ollie Gordon II
2023 Doak Walker Award	Winner	Highly Regarded	Ollie Gordon II
2023 Unanimous All-American	Yes	No	Ollie Gordon II
Fumbles (2023)	Not highlighted as a major issue	5	Ollie Gordon II (Implied fewer)

This statistical comparison reveals that Ollie Gordon II led in crucial rushing categories and overall scrimmage yards, complemented by major national awards. Ashton Jeanty, on the other hand, was the more prolific and impactful player in the passing game and boasted slightly better per-carry efficiency.

Visualizing Their Impact: Comparative Performance Metrics

The radar chart below offers an opinionated visualization of Ollie Gordon II's and Ashton Jeanty's impact across key performance areas during the 2023 season, scored on a 1-10 scale reflecting their standing in each category. This helps illustrate their respective strengths and contributions in a comparative format.

The chart visualizes Gordon's dominance in rushing volume and scoring, as well as overall production. Jeanty shines in receiving categories and overall efficiency, indicating a more balanced, yet highly potent, offensive profile in 2023.

Mapping Their 2023 Success Factors

The mindmap below outlines the key attributes, statistical achievements, and recognitions that defined Ollie Gordon II's and Ashton Jeanty's impactful 2023 seasons. It provides a structured overview of what made each player exceptional.

mindmap root["2023 Running Back Standouts"] id1["Ollie Gordon II (Oklahoma State)"] id1a["Dominant Rusher"] id1a1["1,732 Rushing Yards (FBS Lead)"] id1a2["21 Rushing TDs (FBS Lead)"] id1b["Key Awards (2023)"] id1b1["Doak Walker Award Winner"] id1b2["Unanimous All-American"] id1b3["Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year"] id1c["Overall Impact"] id1c1["2,062 Scrimmage Yards"] id1c2["Workhorse Back for OSU"] id2["Ashton Jeanty (Boise State)"] id2a["Dual-Threat Weapon"] id2a1["1,347 Rushing Yards, 14 TDs"] id2a2["569 Receiving Yards, 5 TDs"] id2b["Elite Efficiency"] id2b1["6.12 Yards Per Carry"] id2b2["High Yards After Contact"] id2b3["Strong Receiving Production"] id2c["Rising Profile"] id2c1["1,916 Scrimmage Yards"] id2c2["Foundation for 2024 Doak Walker Award"]

This mindmap illustrates that Gordon's 2023 narrative was built on pure rushing dominance and top-tier national awards, while Jeanty's story was one of versatile playmaking and remarkable efficiency, particularly as a receiver and tackle-breaker.

Showcasing Talent: Ashton Jeanty's 2023 Highlights

To get a better visual sense of Ashton Jeanty's dynamic playmaking ability during his standout 2023 season, the following video showcases some of his best moments on the field for Boise State. It highlights his rushing prowess, receiving skills, and elusiveness that made him such a difficult player for defenses to handle.

Ashton Jeanty's 2023 highlight reel, demonstrating his versatile skill set.

So, Who Was "Better" in 2023?

Determining who was definitively "better" between Ollie Gordon II and Ashton Jeanty in 2023 is subjective and depends heavily on the criteria used for evaluation. Both running backs had exceptional seasons and were instrumental to their respective teams' successes.

The Case for Ollie Gordon II

If the primary measures are pure rushing production and national accolades for that specific season, Ollie Gordon II has a strong claim. He led the nation in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, vital statistics for a running back. His collection of awards, including the Doak Walker Award and unanimous All-American status, firmly cemented him as the most recognized and, by many traditional metrics, the top running back of the 2023 season. His total scrimmage yards also narrowly edged out Jeanty's.

The Case for Ashton Jeanty

Ashton Jeanty's case is built on his superior versatility, especially as a receiver, and his remarkable efficiency. He significantly outperformed Gordon in receiving yards and touchdowns, showcasing his value as an all-around offensive weapon. His slightly higher yards per carry and noted prowess in yards after contact and forcing missed tackles speak to an elite level of playmaking independent of sheer volume. While he didn't win the major national awards in 2023, his performance clearly indicated he was among the nation's elite, a fact underscored by his 2024 Doak Walker Award.

A Matter of Perspective

Ultimately, both Ollie Gordon II and Ashton Jeanty were titans of college football in 2023. Gordon was the undisputed king of rushing, earning the highest honors for his ground-game dominance. Jeanty was an all-purpose dynamo whose efficiency and receiving skills were arguably unparalleled among running backs. For those prioritizing rushing titles and contemporary awards, Gordon was "better." For those valuing elite receiving from the backfield and advanced efficiency metrics, Jeanty presented a compelling argument. Both players showcased the talent that makes them exciting prospects for the future.