Devin Neal was one of the most prolific running backs in Big 12 football history, and his draft profile evaluates how productive he can continue to be in the NFL.
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2025 NFL Draft Profile and Film Analysis of Kansas Running Back Devin Neal
Measurables:
Height- 5’11”
Weight- 213 lbs
Player Background:
Neal attended Lawrence High School in Kansas, where he was a four-star running back recruit, and the top-rated recruit in the state for the 2021 recruiting class. Choosing to stay in Lawrence, he committed to play for the Kansas Jayhawks. He made an immediate impact as a freshman, leading the team in both rushing yards and touchdowns. His performance in 2022 helped Kansas reach its first bowl game appearance since 2008, with Neal once again leading the team in rushing yards and touchdowns. The following season, Neal earned Second Team All-Big 12 honors and guided Kansas to its first bowl game victory in 15 years. As a senior, Neal continued his dominance with a career-high of 1,520 yards from scrimmage and 17 total touchdowns. He finished his career at Kansas as the school’s all-time leading rusher.
Strengths:
The first thing that stands out about Neal is his exceptional vision. He has excellent patience, allows plays to develop, and does a great job reading blocks and finding creases to run through. Neal’s elusiveness is another standout trait. He makes sharp jump cuts and consistently makes defenders miss in one-on-one situations. Neal also excels at absorbing contact and staying upright after initial contact. He can bounce off tacklers and consistently earn yards after contact.
Neal is an incredibly consistent and dependable running back. He started 38 consecutive games for Kansas and ran over 1,000 yards in three straight seasons. Neal also takes care of the football with just two fumbles on 422 carries in his last two seasons. He is an efficient runner who consistently picks up positive yards on every carry. While Neal is still developing as a receiving threat, he is a reliable pass catcher who knows how to pick up yards after the catch.
Weaknesses:
Neal is not a freak athlete at the running back position. He doesn’t possess great breakaway speed to create big plays and ran an underwhelming 4.58 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. His top speed is average, and he can be caught by defenders from behind on long runs. Neal runs hard, but he is not an overly powerful runner, and he is occasionally too patient waiting for blockers.
Neal has shown promise as a receiver, but as of now, he is primarily a reliable screen pass and checkdown option. He also struggles in pass protection at times due to a lack of play strength needed to be a consistently effective blocker.
Potential Team Fits:
Cleveland Browns
Denver Broncos
Los Angeles Rams
NFL Projection:
Neal has the vision, field awareness, and elusiveness in open space to be a consistently effective runner in the NFL. He was an extremely productive running back in college with 760 carries and over 830 touches over four years who has the experience and instincts needed to make an immediate impact at the next level. However, his lack of elite speed and top-end athletic traits limits his ceiling. Neal can be a productive contributor in a strong running back committee with the potential to be a team’s top ball carrier.
Prospect Grade:
Late Third Round
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – Imagn Images