Nov 26, 2024

Devin Neal Named Walter Camp National Player of the Week

Posted Nov 26, 2024 5:23 PM

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas senior running back Devin Neal was named the Walter Camp National FBS Player of the Week, the Walter Camp Football Foundation announced on Tuesday, following his 287 total yards and four touchdown performance vs. No. 16 Colorado on Saturday.

Neal carried the ball a career-high 37 times for 207 yards and three touchdowns, while adding 80 yards and another touchdown on four receptions in Kansas’ 37-21 victory over No. 16 Colorado on Saturday.

Neal becomes just the second Jayhawk since 2004 to be named Walter Camp National FBS Player of the Week, joining teammate Jalon Daniels, who earned the honor on Sept. 18, 2022, following a five-touchdown performance at Houston.

Neal’s career day vs. Colorado marked his second-career game with four total touchdowns, including his first since Nov. 31, 2021, at Texas. Neal’s 207 yards marked his second-career 200-yard rushing yard performance, topped only by his 224 rushing yards set vs. No. 18 Oklahoma State on Nov. 5, 2022.

Not only did Neal set single game milestones in the win over Colorado, but he also surpassed 1,000 yards rushing on the 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.

Neal is also Kansas’ all-time leader in rushing yards (4,210), rushing touchdowns (48) and scrimmage touchdowns (52). Nationally, Neal is tied for the lead among active FBS players with 48 career rushing touchdowns, which matches the mark of Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty. Neal is No. 2 among active power-four running backs for career rushing yards, trailing only Tahj Brooks of Texas Tech.

This is the 21st year that the Walter Camp Football Foundation will honor one offensive and one defensive player as its national Football Bowl Subdivision player of the week during the regular season. It is the nation’s longest running Player of Week award.