Las Vegas Raiders' Ashton Jeanty Meets Center Jackson Powers-Johnson

Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Ashton Jeanty is starting to meet his new teammates, including Las Vegas center and former Oregon Ducks fan favorite Jackson Powers-Johnson. What did Powers-Johnson say to Jeanty upon meeting the star running back?
Apr 25, 2025; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders first round draft pick in the 2025 NFL Draft Ashton Jeanty, speaks to the media at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Apr 25, 2025; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders first round draft pick in the 2025 NFL Draft Ashton Jeanty, speaks to the media at Intermountain Health Performance Center. | Candice Ward-Imagn Images

The Las Vegas Raiders selected former Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and he is starting to meet some of his new teammates as the rookie minicamps begin across the league.

In a video captured by the Raiders social media team, former Oregon Ducks and current Las Vegas center Jackson Powers-Johnson introduced himself to Jeanty: "What's up? I'm Jackson. I'm your center. Nice to meet you man, " Powers-Johnson said as he hugged his newest running back.

Jeanty was the first running back off of the board in this year's NFL Draft after he rushed for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns in his junior season with Boise State. Now, Jeanty will be relying on Powers-Johnson and the rest of the Raiders offensive line to create rushing lanes for the talented running back.

Las Vegas Raiders guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) enters the field before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at All
Dec 22, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) enters the field before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Allegiant Stadium. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Powers-Johnson is entering his second season in the NFL after being selected in the second round with the No. 44 overall pick by Las Vegas in the 2024 NFL Draft. As a member of the Ducks, Powers-Johnson won the 2023 Rimmington Trophy, awarded every season to the best center in college football.

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He was originally expected to play guard along the Raiders offensive line after showing off his positional versatility at Oregon. However, Powers-Johnson is now expected to be Las Vegas' center of the future.

Powers-Johnson spoke about his transition into the NFL and how things have changed from his rooke year.

"Everybody was so great about having the rookies transition into the NFL and really getting after it and throwing us into the fires. Once we kind of got in the season, it was easier than the offseason. I think I really just had such a great support system, kind of off the field with my parents, and my fiancée, and the people in the building did such a great job to really help the rookies," Powers-Johnson said in an interview on "Raiders Morning Commute."

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll, Ashton Jeanty and general manager John Spytek pose
Apr 25, 2025; Henderson, NV, USA; (L-R) Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll, Ashton Jeanty and general manager John Spytek pose after a news conference introducing Jeanty as the first round draft pick in the 2025 NFL Draft at Intermountain Health Performance Center. | Candice Ward-Imagn Images

Jeanty is joining a Raiders organization that is quite different from the one that drafted Powers-Johnson in 2024. In the offseason, Las Vegas hired former Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll. However, it appears as though Powers-Johnson is already doing his part to make Jeanty and the rest of the Raiders rookies feel welcome.

According to Jeanty himself, he was always hoping to be drafted by Las Vegas. He told Raiders digital team reporter Levi Edwards about his feelings before receiving the draft phone call from Las Vegas.

"There was a little bit of nervousness just not knowing where you were going to go quite yet. Then the first voice I heard was John Spytek (general manager) I was happy for the great sense of relief," said Jeanty.

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Charlie Viehl
CHARLIE VIEHL

Charlie Viehl is the deputy editor for the Oregon Ducks, Colorado Buffaloes, and USC Trojans on SI. He has written hundreds of articles for SI and has covered events like the Big Ten Championship and College Football Playoff Quarterfinals at the Rose Bowl. While pursuing a career in sports journalism, he is also a lifelong musician, holding a degree in Music and Philosophy from Boston College. A native of Pasadena, California, he covered sports across Los Angeles while at Loyola High School and edited the Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program’s magazine at BC. He is excited to bring his passion for storytelling and sports to fans of college athletics.