Pro Football Focus ranked Devin Neal exceptionally high coming into the 2024 season
Former Kansas football players received more notice for their talent and on-field performance than in previous years during the 2024 NFL Draft and post-draft undrafted free agency contracts. OL The 49ers selected Dominick Puni in the third round, while the Bears chose Austin Booker in the fifth round.
Four others signed UDFA contracts immediately following the draft, while six more were invited to various team minicamps and will compete for roster slots.
That, combined with their record over the last two seasons, demonstrates that the Jayhawks are acquiring and developing superior players.
Just how good could hometown hero Devin Neal be for the Kansas Jayhawks at running back in 2024?
According to Pro Football Focus, next year’s draft is filled with running backs, but Devin Neal is one of the finest in the class, rating third.
Next years draft class is LOADED at Running Back🤯 pic.twitter.com/SnaUV5mqMw
— PFF College (@PFF_College) May 1, 2024
That is obviously good praise for the running back, but it also sets extremely high expectations for Neal and the Jayhawks. That’s fine, too. It’s been a long time since there were great expectations for the program, and you want them to remain high.
Neal, a Lawrence native, has been extremely productive in his first three years on school. In 37 games, he has 3,007 yards rushing, 33 rushing touchdowns, 457 receiving yards, and three touchdown receptions. He averages 5.7 yards per rush and 8.6 yards per catch.
He has over 1,000 yards rushing as a sophomore and junior, averaging more than 6.0 yards per carry. He has 12 career 100-yard games, including one in which he rushed for 224 yards. All of this was accomplished while sharing time with other really good running backs on the KU team. If he matches or exceeds the success and performance he has had as a senior, the sky is the limit for Neal.
He’s 5-foot-11 and weighs 208 pounds, so he’s already a great stature and should be able to gain some weight in the future. Fantasy Pros published a scouting report on Neal:
“Knows how to change speeds and play with patience. Nice jump-cuts and lateral quickness. Able to weave through congestion effectively. Has impressive elusiveness to make defenders miss in the hole; very nice dead-leg move. Very effective one-cut runner who can win the edge and make sharp cuts upfield. Accelerates quickly and shows the speed to rip off long chunks. Hard to bring down once he gets out into the open field. Gets low at the end of his runs to administer some punishment. Shows some leg drive to fight for extra yardage, and runs with competitiveness. Ball security is excellent, with just three fumbles to date on well over 500 career touches.”
Fans are very thrilled to see Neal and the Jayhawks in 2024. The Kansas football team is seeking to expand on its success from the previous two seasons, with Neal at the vanguard, and KU hopes to compete not only in the newly reformed Big 12, but also nationwide.
Neal’s excellent senior season might lead to a high draft position and a good NFL career once his time on university is up. Everyone is excited to watch how Neal and the Jayhawks perform in 2024; excitement abounds!
