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Kansas football: Devin Neal bound to leap Jayhawk legends on all-time list

By Joshua Schulman

AMES, IA - NOVEMBER 4: Running back Devin Neal #4 of the Kansas Jayhawks is tackled by defensive end Joey Petersen #52 of the Iowa State Cyclones as defensive back Beau Freyler #17 of the Iowa State Cyclones defends in the first half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on November 4, 2023 in Ames, Iowa. The Kansas Jayhawks won 28-21 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA - NOVEMBER 4: Running back Devin Neal #4 of the Kansas Jayhawks is tackled by defensive end Joey Petersen #52 of the Iowa State Cyclones as defensive back Beau Freyler #17 of the Iowa State Cyclones defends in the first half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on November 4, 2023 in Ames, Iowa. The Kansas Jayhawks won 28-21 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images) /
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Devin Neal could surpass two Kansas football legends on the school’s all-time rushing yard lit if he has another strong showing this week vs. Texas Tech.

A large portion of the Kansas Jayhawks‘ magical 7-2 season can be attributed to the efforts of star running back Devin Neal. The junior from Lawrence, Kansas, has run for 828 yards on the ground on 136 carries (6.1 YPC), adding nine touchdowns. He is essential to KU’s rushing attack, which ranks in the top 15 nationally and is already picking up looks from NFL teams.

Neal was the only 1,000-yard rusher from the Big 12 to return to school in 2023, and he seems poised to surpass his total from one year ago (1,090). He averages 92 rushing yards per contest, meaning he’s on pace for 1,196, and at that rate, he will also make Kansas football history this week against Texas Tech.

Devin Neal destined to leap John Riggins, Gale Sayers on Kansas football rushing yards list

KU’s RB1 is just 35 yards from passing John Riggins on the school’s all-time rushing list and 51 away from Gale Sayers. That puts him in elite company among two Jayhawk legends and Pro Football Hall of Famers.

In a brief yet eventful professional career, Sayers established himself as one of the game’s greatest in just six seasons. He led the NFL in rushing yards twice, was a five-time All-Pro, and finished as a top-five candidate for the MVP award in each of his five full seasons. Unfortunately, he retired at 28 years old due to recurring injuries, but his short stint of excellence earned him a spot in the Hall.

Meanwhile, Riggins enjoyed a much longer career than Sayers and was one of the best power backs from the 1970s-80s. He amassed 11,352 rushing yards as a pro, ranking him 19th in league history, and was the Super Bowl XVII MVP.

While it’s far-fetched to assume Neal follows the career path of two of the best rushers in NFL history, it shows how much he has meant to the program during his time in Lawrence. His likely destination post-2023 is the NFL, but he should leap Clark Green (2,754 rushing yards) to finish No. 5 in Kansas football history if he keeps on this pace.

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