Kansas football star Devin Neal reacts to being picked in NFL draft
Check out everything Kansas football running back Devin Neal had to say Saturday after being picked in the NFL draft by the New Orleans Saints.
LAWRENCE — Kansas football coach Lance Leipold saw two of his players from his 2024 roster selected during the 2025 NFL Draft in April.
Devin Neal, a running back, went in the sixth round to the New Orleans Saints. Bryce Cabeldue, an offensive lineman, also went in the sixth round, but to the Seattle Seahawks. It gave the Jayhawks back-to-back years with multiple NFL draft selections.
Here are a few takeaways from Leipold’s appearance on the New Orleans Saints Podcast, as he reacted to the Saints’ choice to pick up Neal:
Could drafting Devin Neal be a steal for New Orleans?
Leipold acknowledged that the opportunity for New Orleans to draft someone with so much production in the sixth round, like Neal, could end up being a steal for the Saints. Neal rushed for more than 1,000 yards each of the last three years in college, and in the process of his four-year career at Kansas became the program’s all-time leading rusher.
During the pre-draft process, when it came to the people Leipold talked to, the range of what Leipold thought would be possible spanned from late on day two of the draft to where Neal ended up on day three.
Leipold mentioned there was a lot of depth at running back in this year’s draft class, so there would be a lot of competition to be selected. However, from this point on, Leipold said it’s about what you do with the chance you have. He thinks there’s a history Neal is in a position to live up to, of players who’ve emerged during the program rebuild at KU who thrive in an underdog role.
What makes Devin Neal such a talented player?
Leipold described Neal as a grounded, hard-working individual who’s never satisfied. He’ll always remember how steady Neal was, and praised the vision and patience Neal has running the ball. From the start of Neal’s Kansas career, he was one of the faces of the program’s rebuild as a Lawrence native.
Leipold told the story of how, when Neal was a freshman, Neal essentially lived in running backs coach Jonathan Wallace’s office in between meetings during fall camp. Neal would ask questions, as he tried to understand plays, concepts and protections, and that interest — which Leipold envisions Neal having in New Orleans — served Neal well as he ultimately became a starter.
How can Devin Neal fit in with New Orleans?
Personally, Leipold is sure Neal will be able to adapt to a new city and organization just fine. Leipold described Neal as a likable guy who can fit in with various types of groups. Leipold thinks fans will appreciate what Neal is all about, and talked about how Neal is someone who will get involved in the community.
As a player, Leipold remarked that Neal will embrace whatever role comes his way and doesn’t shy away from coaching in areas he needs to improve. Leipold said Neal has worked a lot on his receiving skills and keeps focusing on becoming better in pass protection. Leipold noted it’ll be great for Neal to be able to have a mentor in New Orleans like veteran running back Alvin Kamara.
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.