The Kansas football team lost its most prolific running back of all time when Devin Neal graduated and was drafted by the New Orleans Saints. At first glance, the running back room looks to be in a complete rebuild mode. It is to a certain extent.
The Jayhawks have eight running backs listed on their current 2025 roster, and five of them have not carried the ball at the collegiate level. For a team that relies on the run as much as KU does, this could be an issue.
Fortunately, Kansas has a lot of experience at the top of the depth chart with two experienced redshirt seniors. Daniel Hishaw has been in the program for years, and when healthy, he’s been productive. LeShon Johnson transferred from Iowa, giving the Jayhawks an exciting one-two punch in the backfield.
Let’s not forget about Jalon Daniels either. While he is the quarterback, he’s been very successful using his legs. Despite the lack of experience from the running back group as a whole, the Jayhawks will feature three players with more than 1,000 career rushing yards.
Career rushing yards for the 2025 Kansas football team
- Mike Pauley, QB, R-Jr. - 17 yards
- Johnny Thompson Jr., RB, R-So. - 32 yards
- Cole Ballard, QB, Jr. - 117 yards
- Jalon Daniels, QB, R-Sr. - 1,041 yards
- LeShon Williams, RB, R-Sr. - 1,323 yards
- Daniel Hishaw Jr., RB, R-Sr. - 1,493 yards
Hishaw and Williams are sure to handle most of the rushing duties, but Thompson, redshirt freshmen Harry Stewart III, and Jack Schneider will most likely get snaps throughout the year as well. The two true freshmen on the roster are John Kelly and Justin Thurman, but one or both could redshirt this season.
Hishaw has always been productive during his years at Kansas when healthy, but he’s dealt with some serious injuries in his career. He’s played in more than eight games once in the four seasons with the Jayhawks.
Williams showed some solid skills in his sophomore and junior campaigns, but he was hurt early in 2024 and barely saw any action.
Hishaw and Williams will do their best to replace Neal's production, and they could even surpass it as a duo if both remain healthy throughout the season.
The running game isn’t in as bad a shape as it might initially look. Look for this group of runners to surprise defenses as the season progresses.