LAWRENCE, Kan. – For the second time in the past three weeks, Kansas senior running back Devin Neal has been chosen as the East-West Shrine Bowl’s Breakout Offensive Player of the Week.
The East-West Shrine Bowl is a best-in-class all-star event that will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on January 30, 2025. Players will be coached by NFL coaches, in an NFL facility, and will have access to NFL-level resources, facilities, player-friendly schedules, and opportunities at the highest level.
Neal had a historic performance as he led the Jayhawks to a 37-21 victory over No. 16 Colorado Saturday on his Senior Day at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. He carried the ball a career-high 37 times for 207 yards and three touchdowns, while adding 80 yards and another touchdown on four receptions. This is the second time in his career that Neal has scored four total touchdowns and the fourth time he has scored at least three touchdowns in his career. The 207 rushing yards is the second-highest total for Neal in his legendary career, trailing only a 224-yard rushing day in KU’s 37-16 win over No. 18 Oklahoma State in 2022.
In the game, Neal surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing milestone for the 2024 season, becoming the first player in Kansas football history to rush for more than 1,000 yards three times in his career. Neal has now rushed for 1,133 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. His yardage total is good for the sixth-highest single-season total in program history and his touchdown total is No. 4 in school history for a single season.
KU’s all-time leader in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns and total touchdowns, Neal added to his historic marks on Saturday. His current career totals are 4,210 yards, 48 rushing touchdowns and 52 total touchdowns. Neal entered the game ranked No. 10 in Big 12 history for career rushing yards and passed Oklahoma’s Adrian Peterson and Samaje Perine and Kendall Hunter of Oklahoma State to move No. 7 in conference history. He is also 10th in league history for rushing touchdowns.