How Does Lance Leipold Plan to Replace Devin Neal?

While Devin Neal is officially onto the next chapter of his career with the New Orleans Saints, his departure leaves a massive hole in the backfield at Kansas.

Lance Leipold believes that his group is ready for the challenge of replacing Neal; however, as Daniel Hishaw steps into the fold as the next man up in Lawrence.

“Well, you know, it’s going to be a challenge,” Leipold said. “We feel that we have good depth. I mean, Daniel Hishaw has waited patiently, and I think he’s ready to have a big year for us. He’s a powerful back. Before the hip injury a few years back, he was playing every bit as well as Devin, and that’s nothing against Devin.”

Hishaw, a 5-foot-10 senior from Moore, Oklahoma, has shown some serious flash during his Kansas career and is coming off a season where he averaged nearly six yards per carry (5.8 YPC in 2024). He’s recorded a total of 282 carries for 1,490 yards and 18 scores as a Jayhawk.

He will also be joined by Iowa transfer Leshon Williams, who Leipold mentioned as the second man involved in the one-two punch of Hishaw and Williams.

“Between Daniel and Leshon Williams, we feel we’re going to have nice depth there and a nice one-two punch,” Leipold concluded.

Williams is also an important name to know for Kansas fans, as he enters the fold after four years in Iowa City. His most productive year came in 2023, when he toted the rock 170 times for 821 yards on the ground.

The running back duo will have their first opportunity to shine when the 2025 season kicks off on Saturday, August 23rd, against the Fresno State Bulldogs.