Ever since he first stepped foot on campus four years ago, Kansas football running back Devin Neal has been everything this program could have wanted and more.
Not only has he excelled on the field – rushing for more than 1,000 yards during both his sophomore and junior season – he has also been (by all reports) the consummate teammate on and off the field.
The Lawrence native has been labeled the “hometown hero” by many Jayhawk fans after the success he’s had and because of his decision to play for his hometown team over offers from more established programs such as K-State, Iowa, and Oklahoma State.
With a big performance on Saturday at K-State, Neal may truly earn that hero title.
Neal needs just 73 rushing yards to pass June Henley and become the school’s all-time leading rusher. He also needs just one more touchdown to pass Henley (43 career TDs) on the all-time touchdown scorer list in school history.
And with one more 100-yard rushing performance, Neal will have passed KU great Tony Sands for the school record in games with 100 yards or more rushing (both currently sit at 17).
Last year against the Wildcats, Neal rushed for 143 yards and three touchdowns in a devasting 31-27 loss in Lawrence.
While those individual accolades will etch Neal’s name into the history books and secure a spot in KU’s Ring of Honor one day, it’s the outcome of Saturday’s game that could really cement his legacy for years to come.
KU has suffered a defeat at the hands of their in-state rival for 15 straight years. 15 … years.
If Neal can deliver a big performance on Saturday and help end this streak which has plagued KU coaches, players and fans alike for more than a decade – in addition to breaking those school records – it will truly make Neal a hero in the eyes of Jayhawk fans everywhere.
And for a hometown kid who chose to wear Kansas across his chest, I can’t think of a more fulfilling moment in a college career than the one available in front of him this weekend.