Kansas Jayhawks star running back Devin Neal informed the Jayhawks coaching staff that he would be returning to the team in 2024, per ESPN insider Pete Thamel.
Neal had the opportunity to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft as he just finished his third year of college football. Neal will join star quarterback Jalon Daniels, who was out for the majority of the 2023 season with back issues.
The two Jayhawks returning will allow Kansas to continue the trend of having a high-powered offense that runs the ball with consistency. As a team, the Jayhawks are eighth in the country in yards per carry (5.51). They are also 12th in rushing touchdowns (31), and 13th in total rushing yards (2536).
Eight of the Jayhawks offensive starters will be returning next year. Kansas was 29th in total offense while having to play multiple QBs throughout the season.
Neal posted a picture on social media confirming that he would be playing in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl against UNLV.
Real deal Devin Neal. pic.twitter.com/qJTzyaOmQ7
— Bryson Stricker (@BryBryStrick) December 27, 2023
Kansas Jayhawks running back Devin Neal provided consistency for the Jayhawks in all three of head coach Lance Leipold’s seasons
Neal has eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in two straight seasons. Neal had a little bit of a lighter workload in his freshman year, yet he still reached 700 yards.
Neal was named to the second-team All-Big 12 squad in the 2023 season. He had 16 touchdowns on 1,209 yards rushing. Neal’s yards per carry were top-tier in the past two seasons. He had 6.1 yards per carry in 2022, and a Big 12-leading 6.6 yards per carry in 2023.
The Lawrence native was a three-star running back coming out of high school. In an article from ESPN, a Kansas source explains why he stayed home.
“Him being the local guy, it’s a credit to his loyalty to the community,” said a Kansas source. “It was his mission when he signed to put Kansas football on the map, and this is another part of that.”
Neal is on his way to accomplishing that goal, as a win in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl would be the first bowl-game win for the Jayhawks since 2008. It would also boost the 8-4 Jayhawks to nine wins, which would be the most they’ve had since they won the Orange Bowl under head coach Mark Mangino in the 2007 season.
Neal has a chance to go down as one of the best running backs in the history of Kansas football if he keeps pace in 2024. He needs just over 800 yards to become first in Jayhawks history in rushing yards, and he needs 10 touchdowns to become the all-time leader in rushing touchdowns.
The Kansas Jayhawks and running back Devin Neal are looking to make a run at the Big 12 Championship in head coach Lance Leipold’s fourth season
The Kansas Jayhawks have steadily improved under head coach Lance Leipold. His first season saw him go 2-10, but he made a bowl game in each of the last two seasons. His 8-4 record is the best since 2008, and if he wins the Guaranteed Rate Bowl it will be the best record since 2007.
This marks the first time the Jayhawks reached a bowl game in back-to-back seasons since that time. The Jayhawks had not even reached a bowl game from 2009-2021 as their most wins in a season during that time was five, which they achieved only once.
Leipold has proven his ability to rebuild a program as he did so with the Buffalo Bulls before arriving in Lawrence. He had the Bulls at 10 wins and back-to-back bowl appearances before taking the Kansas job.
Star RB Devin Neal looks to improve his standing in the Kansas record books in 2024. He also looks to cement his place as one of the players that was instrumental in bringing Kansas football back. The Jayhawks play UNLV in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl on Dec. 26.
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