Kansas RB Neal earns praise from Leipold and Grimes
Kansas offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes hasn’t been with the Jayhawks very long, but he’s already issued quite the endorsement for running back Devin Neal.
“Devin has the best make you miss ability of any back that I’ve been around,” Grimes said.
That ability was fully displayed in KU’s 48-3 victory over Lindenwood on Thursday at Children’s Mercy Park. Neal finished with 112 yards on eight carries and two touchdowns… after only playing in the first half.
It even earned the praise of coach Lance Leipold.
“I thought Devin and Daniel (Hishaw) ran the ball hard,” Leipold said. “I thought all our running backs ran hard tonight, and that’s good to see because we are going to need them.”
After not declaring for the NFL Draft after last season, Kansas running back Devin Neal decided to return for his senior year with the Jayhawks.
He ran for 1,280 yards on 203 carries, averaging 6.3 yards per carry with 17 touchdowns, and earned an All-Big 12 secondteam selection. The Lawrence native wants to end his KU tenure with some hardware — a Big 12 or National Championship.
In Neal’s freshman year, the Jayhawks finished 2-10. Nowadays, people (outside the KU locker room) can talk about Kansas competing for a Big 12 or National Championship without getting a funny look.
“Competing for a natty, man, I just think we have all the talent in the world to do that,” Neal said. “We have all the experience in the world to do that. Now it just comes down to us executing and doing what we were supposed to do.”
Neal is feeling a different set of emotions as he goes through his senior season.
“Obviously, I am hyped up, but this is the calmest my game has ever felt,” Neal said. “I’m just so confident in my ability to go out there and perform. I’m just super excited in that way.”
His excitement is warranted as Neal is chasing multiple
school records this season. Neal is fourth in career rushing yards (3,189) and second in rushing touchdowns (35).
As he looks to finish off his Kansas career with a bang, Neal is acutely aware of what he needs to improve upon to be drafted early in the NFL Draft.
“I feel like a lot of things they’re wanting to see from me is being able to be a third-down back, so pass pro better,” Neal said. “I think I’ve got a ton better in fall camp (with) just strength in general. Just technique and reps and reps. I think they (NFL teams) will be really surprised by that and obviously to catch passes out of the backfield.
“So, lining up in the slot and stuff like that, which I know I will be able to do it, it’s just Coach Grimes feeling comfortable throwing me out there.”
He believes those improvements and KU winning will propel him up draft boards.
Ultimately, Neal has full confidence in himself
“I’ve said it before, I am amongst the best in the country — if not the best,” Neal said. I just got to prove that.”