Greg McElroy believes Devin Neal can do 'a lot of big things' in 2024

Greg McElroy has high expectations Kansas running back Devin Neal in the 2024 campaign. Earlier this month, the ESPN analyst explained why he believes Neal will be the No. 9 RB in the nation next season.

“He’s been extremely productive the last couple of years. The guy has unbelievable speed,” McElroy said. “Since 2022, he’s rushed for 2,373 rushing yards. That trails only Quinshon Judkins and Blake Corum among Power Five running backs.

“He has 25 rushing touchdowns and in that span, that would fall fourth to Blake Corum, Quinshon Judkins and Audric Estime. So, really shifty with great speed and a guy that has a chance to do a lot of big things in that offense for the Kansas Jayhawks.”

In 2023, Neal produced a career-high 1,280 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. The 5-foot-11 junior also tallied 25 receptions for 217 yards and a score. For his efforts, he was named All-Big 12 Second Team and Doak Walker Award candidate.

Many expected Neal to enter the 2024 NFL Draft, where he easily could’ve jumpstarted his career at the next level. Instead, Neal opted to run it back for another season with his beloved Jayhawks. He won’t be alone.

The school also returns starting quarterback Jalon Daniels next season. Altogether, Kansas is projected to have eight of its 11 starters on offense back next season, including the team’s three starting wide receivers.

Devin Neal ready to run it back with the Jayhawks

In late March, Neal explained his decision to return for a senior season.

“It was just a combination of a lot of things, and I didn’t want to go into [the draft] and feel regret,” Neal said. “I just wanted to make a good decision. I mean, regardless, I wasn’t going to be 100% either way, and hindsight’s always 20/20, so it was just being more comfortable with whatever decision I was going to make, and so I spent more time reflecting in that way.”

Kansas boasted a 9-4 record last season and a 5-4 mark in conference play, the program’s best under head coach Lance Leipold. In Leipold’s first season at the helm in 2021, the team finished with a 2-10 record. They have rapidly progressed and plan to take another step this season.

With Neal in the backfield, there’s no telling how high the Jayhawks could fly in 2024. On3 projected Neal to be the No. 57 overall player in college football next season.