Week Eleven Jayhawk Spotlight: Devin Neal

It’s one thing to be the leading rusher in the history of your school. Every team has one. But when your school also had a running back by the name of Gale Sayers, being the all-time leading rusher just means more. This week's spotlight couldn’t have gone to anyone but The Real Deal.

Of course, you don’t need any introduction to the all time leader in rushing yards at KU. But in case you weren’t ware of some of the eye-popping stats that Lawrence native Devin Neal has put up over his career on Mount Oread, we’re here to enlighten you.

As a freshman in 2021, Neal came into the lineup and people started paying attention. He ran for 707 yards that season, scoring eight touchdowns, but the scene was set. His 4.5 yards per carry average wasn’t spectacular, but that was the season that things with Kansas football looked possible, a lot of it because of Neal. His breakout game in that freshman campaign was in the miraculous over Texas. In that game, Neal ran the ball 24 times for 143 yards and three scores. It was his third and final 100 yard rushing game of the season, but Kansas fans were already looking forward to year two.

In his sophomore campaign, Neal showed what a star he was going to be. He went over 1000 yards on the season (1,061) and didn’t even need the extra bowl game to do it. That game was dominated by Jalon Daniels and Neal only rushed for 32 in the triple overtime loss. Neal again had three 100 yard rushing games, but two of those came back to back and account for his two highest totals in his career. In a big win over highly ranked Oklahoma State, Neal rushed for 224 yards and a score. The following week, we went for 190 in a tough loss to Texas Tech. Neal had officially broken out, but it wasn’t until the following season that records looked like they could fall.

KU’s magical 2023 season wasn’t supposed to turn out the way it did. Quarterback Jalon Daniels went out injured early in the season and it was down to backup QB Jason Bean and Devin Neal to pull the load for the Jayhawks. As we all know, they did. Neal racked up 1,209 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns on the season, scoring multiple touchdowns in five games including three against Nevada and Kansas State. He averaged 6.6 yards per run last year putting him within striking range of the records he recently broke.

In 2024, Neal has gone over the 100 yard mark in six of KU’s nine games, a huge feat considering it took more than half of the season for the offensive playcallers to realize that one of the nation’s best rushers was on the roster. A few weeks ago, Neal surpassed everyone in Kansas history in total touchdowns, a stat he added to in the big win over Iowa State. He has a very realistic chance to surpass 50 touchdowns in his Jayhawk career. He’ll likely go over 4,000 yards rushing in the game against BYU with a legitimate shot at 4,300 for his career.

Simply put, Devin Neal is a Kansas legend. The boy who grew up in Lawrence, made good on his commitment to attend KU, and has since etched his name above the all-time greats that have donned the crimson and blue, statistically became one of the best ever last week. Build the man a statue, name a section of the new stadium after him, enshrine him in the Ring of Honor the first year of eligibility, but most of all Jayhawk fans, enjoy.

You only have three games to watch Devin Neal in Jayhawk colors. If a miracle occurs, you have four. Either way, time is limited, so enjoy watching the leading rusher in KU history and one of the best players Kansas has ever produced.