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Michael Irvin, the Hall of Fame wide receiver who knows a thing or two about winning with Dallas, is making a ionate plea to team owner Jerry Jones. On the March 11 episode of FOX Sports' Speak, Irvin threw his weight behind Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, calling him "the next Barry Sanders" and urging Jones to nab him in the NFL Draft. With the Cowboys' future on his mind, Irvin's got a vision-and it's all about bringing some serious juice back to Big D's backfield.
Irvin's not just tossing out names for fun. Jeanty's a legit stud-think 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns in his last college season, finishing as the 2024 Heisman runner-up. That's the kind of Barry Sanders-esque magic Irvin sees turning the Cowboys' run game from meh to wow.
"This may be the next coming of Barry Sanders, and you'll have him in Dallas," Irvin said, his excitement practically jumping through the screen. For a team that ranked near the bottom of the NFL in rushing yards last year, averaging a measly 4.0 yards per carry, Jeanty could be the spark they've been missing.
The Cowboys are sitting pretty with the No. 12 pick, and Irvin's message to Jones is crystal clear: don't sleep on this kid. Jeanty's not just a stat machine-he's got the elusiveness, vision, and tackle-breaking chops that scream superstar potential. Pair that with Dak Prescott's arm and CeeDee Lamb's hands, and you've got an offense that could keep defenses guessing. Irvin, who won three Super Bowls with Dallas in the '90s, knows what a game-changer looks like, and he's betting Jeanty's it.
Irvin tells Jones: Draft Ashton Jeanty, revive Cowboys
Oh, and Jeanty's all about it too. The Frisco, Texas, native told NBC DFW's Pat Doney, "I would love to play for the Cowboys. It'd be like a dream come true." A hometown hero vibe? Check. A guy who practiced at the Cowboys' facility in high school? Double check.
Irvin's not alone either-mock drafts have been linking Jeanty to Dallas for months, with fans on X begging Jones, "Don't f*** this up." The Cowboys' ground game has been crying for a jolt since Ezekiel Elliott's prime, and Jeanty's 1,970 yards after last season alone outdid Dallas' entire RB crew combined.
Irvin's pushing for a future where the Cowboys reclaim their swagger, and Jeanty's the centerpiece. Will Jones listen? That's the million-dollar question buzzing around Cowboys Nation right now.