Devy Diamonds: Devin Neal, Running Back, Kansas
Welcome to Devy Diamonds: Neal was a four-star prospect out of Lawrence High School in Lawrence, Kansas. He had offers from Nebraska, Iowa, Oklahoma State, and Kansas. In March of 2020 he committed to Kansas.
Neal has been the lead back for the Jayhawks since his true freshman season. In 2021, he ran for 707 yards on 158 rushing attempts. His involvement in the passing game was minimal that season. He only had seven receptions for 57 yards.
During his sophomore season he ran for an additional 22 attempts while averaging 6.1 yards-per-carry. In total that equated to 1,090 yards. Plus, his involvement in the passing game saw an uptick. This season he had 21 receptions for 183 yards.
Neal continued to improve in all areas of his game throughout his junior campaign. He had just over 200 rushing attempts for 1,280 yards averaging 6.3 yards-per-carry. Additionally, he had four more receptions and 34 more receiving yards than his sophomore season.
2024 Outlook: What to Expect
For the 2024 college football season, expectations for Neal are high as he is poised to be a key offensive leader for the Jayhawks. Neal is anticipated to build on his success by being a primary offensive weapon. He will lead the team in rushing yards, and potentially in touchdowns too. His ability to make big plays, both on the ground and through the air as a receiver, will be crucial for Kansas’ offensive scheme. Neal will continue to showcase his speed, agility, and versatility with every opportunity he gets. As one of the returning veterans he will be a leader on the offensive side of the ball. With his role likely to be central to Kansas’ offensive strategy, Neal’s performance will be closely watched as he aims to deliver consistently and elevate the team’s overall success.
Strengths:
- – Acceleration. Neal has quick acceleration, allowing him to break away from defenders and turn small gains into big plays.
- – Elusiveness. His agility makes him highly elusive in the open field. He can change direction quickly and make sharp cuts to evade tacklers.
- – Vision. He demonstrates excellent vision, reading blocks effectively and patiently waiting for holes to develop before making moves.
- – Body Control. Neal maintains great balance and body control, allowing him to stay on his feet through contact and keep plays alive.
- – Receiving Ability. It has been a work in progress, however, each year Neal has improved his receiving abilities making himself into a dual-threat type of back. His hands and route-running skills make him a valuable asset in the passing game.
- – Football IQ. Neal has a high football IQ, understanding defensive schemes and making smart decisions on the field, which contributes to his overall effectiveness as a running back.
Areas of Improvement
- – Strength & Power. While Neal is elusive and fast, he can sometimes struggle to gain yards against more physical defenses. Improving his lower-body strength and power would enhance his ability to push through tackles.
- – Durability concerns. Neal’s play style welcomes contact which could lead to durability concerns. Because of his this potential injury could occur over a long season.
- – Ball Security. He has shown some vulnerability with maintaining the ball through contact. Ensuring he maintains a firm grip on the football and minimizes fumbles will be crucial to maintaining possession and avoiding turnovers.
Draft Stock: Eligible 2025
Consensus Projected Draft Capital: Day Three Pick
Personal Projected Draft Capital: Day Two Pick
Ideal Landing Spot: Houston Texans
Neal would be an excellent draft pick for the Houston Texans in the 2025 NFL Draft, primarily due to the team’s need for depth. They seem to lack effective depth behind starting running back Joe Mixon. At Kansas, Neal has proven himself as a dynamic and versatile player. He has demonstrated the ability to contribute both as a runner and a receiver out of the backfield. His combination of speed, vision, and toughness makes him an ideal complement to Mixon. Neal’s ability to break off big plays and his knack for finding the end zone could provide the Texans with the explosive element they have been missing.
Moreover, the Texans’ offense would benefit from Neal’s youth and potential to grow into a primary back as Mixon ages. Mixon will continue to carry the bulk of the workload, but the Texans will need a reliable backup who can step up to help keep Mixon fresh through the season. Neal’s work ethic and football IQ suggest he could transition smoothly into the NFL. He would benefit in having a mentor like Mixon, a seasoned veteran that has shown top ten upside. His presence would give the Texans more flexibility in their play-calling, allowing them to utilize a two-back system that could confuse defenses. This could potentially open up more opportunities in the passing game. Neal’s addition would not only bolster the Texans’ depth but also secure their future at the running back position.
Fantasy Impact
Neal has established himself as a key asset for the Kansas offense. His ability to consistently produce big plays, evidenced by his back to back seasons of averaging over six yards-per-carry. As the focal point of the Jayhawks’ offense, Neal’s versatility and explosiveness make him a valuable pick in college fantasy football. He has proven that he can handle a significant workload, and with Kansas likely to lean on his abilities again, Neal has the potential to deliver strong numbers again. Neal will be a top choice at the running back position for managers looking to capitalize on his consistent production.
Looking ahead to the NFL, Neal’s impact could be significant for fantasy football. His ability to maintain a high yards-per-carry average demonstrates his potential to thrive at the next level. He can make more of an impact seeing that the league seems to find more value in running backs that can contribute both as a runner and receiver. If he lands in a system that maximizes his strengths, Neal could quickly become a fantasy asset. He will enter the league as an RB2 with RB1 upside if he gets the starting job once drafted. His combination of speed, vision, and ability to break tackles should translate well to the NFL, making him a potential mid-round steal with upside to develop into a reliable fantasy starter.
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