Devin Neal Scouting Report
By: Michael Higgins
(Image courtesy of Nick Tre. Smith/IMAGN Images)
School: Kansas
Class: Senior
Position: RB
HT: 5’11
WT: 213 lbs
CLICK HERE TO WATCH MY DEVIN NEAL FILM BREAKDOWN
Background: Devin Neal was a 4-star running back according to the majority of outlets. He is from Lawrence, Kansas, where he played high school football and where the University of Kansas is located. He was nationally regarded as a top 20 running back in the class and the consensus best player in the state of Kansas. He was named first team all-state by two outlets in Kansas and helped his team to a 9-1 record as a senior. He rushed for 1,300 yards and 18 touchdowns in his final high school season. Devin Neal’s college commitment was never in question. Before his career at Lawrence High School was over, he committed to Kansas over Nebraska, West Virginia, and others.
College: As a freshman for Kansas, he rushed for over 700 yards and was a Big 12 honorable mention selection. In 2022, he once again made the Big 12 honorable mention. He seemed to will the Jayhawks’ offense to be productive in a season in which their starting quarterback missed a chunk of games due to injury. In his final season with the Jayhawks, Neal became Kansas’ all-time leading rusher and leader in rushing touchdowns. Neal was an All-Big 12 honorable mention in 2024.
Strengths: Devin Neal is an elusive running back who is used to a large workload. He has an excellent stop and go ability with the ball in his hands. He has elite burst and acceleration which allows him to slow down and be patient behind the line of scrimmage before hitting the hole and gashing the defense. Neal is able to find green grass where others cannot. It is nearly impossible to bring Neal down on initial contact. Defenders will bounce off of him until multiple guys can get their hands on him. His contact balance is helped by his ideal size for the position. Being a bigger running back while also having home run speed makes him a mismatch for any defense. Not only can he cause defenders to bounce off him, but his elusiveness and ability to cut on a dime causes defenders to completely miss him in open space.
Weaknesses: Devin Neal is not a plus pass protector. He gets mowed down frequently when trying to absorb contact from blitzers. Neal needs to play at a lower pad level in order to be more effective as a blocker. Neal also has issues with congested areas of the field. He doesn’t have the strong lower body strength to charge forward at the line and gain extra yards by pushing the pile forward. He doesn’t fall forward consistently enough and can be pushed back by muscle at the line.
Conclusion: Devin Neal is a playmaker in the backfield for the Kansas Jayhawks. He is not a multi-dimensional running back, but he does possess an NFL frame with deceiving speed and elusiveness. Neal is a back who does not offer a ton in the way of receiving production, but he will get the yards on the ground with efficiency.
Scheme Fit: Gap Rushing Offense
Ideal Role: Depth RB
Best Team Fits: CAR, MIA, MIN
Player Comparison: Rico Dowdle
Player Grade: Round 4 (67.5)
