Boise State enters the 2025 college football season coming off a terrific 2024 campaign. The Broncos won 12 games, went undefeated in the Mountain West, and captured the conference championship on their way to a College Football Playoff appearance.
Much of Boise State’s success came thanks to running back Ashton Jeanty, who had a historic season. With Jeanty now in the NFL, Sire Gaines is set to take over in 2025, and it’s safe to say the young running back has some major shoes to fill.
Here’s everything you need to know about Jeanty’s replacement, including a possible injury heading into the season.
Meet Sire Gaines: Boise State’s Running Back Ready to Fill Ashton Jeanty’s Shoes
It will take more than one player to fill the role Jeanty played for the Broncos last season. He ran for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns, was named a unanimous All-American, won the Maxwell Award, and finished second in Heisman voting to Colorado’s Travis Hunter.
Gaines will split carries this season with senior Malik Sherrod, who transferred to Boise State from Fresno State this offseason, but he is expected to lead the running back room.
A redshirt freshman, Gaines committed to the Broncos as part of their 2024 class as a three-star recruit out of Orange Vista High School in Riverside, California. He appeared in just three games his freshman season before suffering a knee injury, but showed major talent in those opportunities.
He finished the season with 20 carries for 156 yards and one touchdown, averaging an impressive 7.8 yards per carry, while adding 44 yards and one touchdown as a receiver.
Replacing Jeanty is no small task, but in an interview with Sports Illustrated, he explained that he isn’t worrying about the pressure but embracing it and is prepared to do everything he can to help his team win.
“It’s not pressure, because I embrace it,” Everything that he had, I want,” Gaines told Sports Illustrated. “All the carries, everything. Just allow me to do my best for this team. Because it’s the team first, I’m second. So whatever pressure it is, I’m embracing it, and I want it.”
It’s clear that Gaines is mentally ready for the season, but with last year’s knee injury and a soft tissue issue lingering early in fall camp, the question remains: Will he be ready for the Broncos’ Week One opener against USF?
Will Sire Gaines Be Healthy For Week One?
Gaines had to undergo surgery on his knee following an injury he suffered during the Broncos’ third game of the 2024 season against Portland State. Heading into fall camp, he was expected to be a full participant but was sidelined for the first four practices due to a soft tissue issue.
Mountain West Projections Ahead of College Football Week 1: Can Boise State Three-Peat?
Since then, Gaines has returned to practice and actively participated throughout the rest of fall camp. He is now expected to be a full go for the Broncos in Week One.
The Broncos’ season-opening matchup against the USF Bulls will be broadcast on ESPN on Thursday, August 28, at 5:30 p.m. ET.
