On November 30th, KU’s 2024 football season came to an end, as they unfortunately lost 45-17 at Baylor, losing all of their momentum that they had built up in previous wins over Colorado and BYU. It also marked the end of running back Devin Neal’s college career. Over the past four years, Neal has helped to redefine Kansas Football, leading the team to two bowl games and breaking numerous rushing records. More than that, Devin Neal has cemented himself as the exact role model for what KU football should be, and has led the team with energy and spirit, all while contributing more than any other player on the field.
November 30th was a sad day for every KU fan. The group of players leading this year, led by Neal but also including corner Cobee Bryant and fan-favorite senior Jared Casey, brought Kansas football back from being the laughing stock of the Big Twelve. Even though I’m one of the biggest Kansas fans out there, and could talk about the basketball program for days, I cared embarrassingly little about our shameful football program for about the first 12 years of my life. It wasn’t for a lack of effort on my part, every year I would watch the first few games of the season and every year I would end up disappointed as Kansas would continue their annual losing streak. Honestly, It was depressing. That’s why, even now, it’s hard to focus on November 30th as being this awful day for KU football, because how could it be after all the successes of the past few years. That’s why, instead of focusing on November 30th, I’d like to focus on a separate day, December 28th, 2022.
December 28th was the date of the 55-53 bowl game loss against Arkansas, which crushed me. The season had been a dream, hard fought wins and electric plays from a super fun team that gained bow eligibility. The loss was hard, especially because Kansas had fought back from a steep deficit. But, at the end of the day, I wasn’t very sad, because I knew that Devin Neal was still a Kansas player, and as long as he was a Jayhawk, we were going to be fine. He was the hometown kid, who committed to a Les Miles regime that had little to no success while at Kansas. It didn’t matter to Devin, he was a Jayhawk, even though he had opportunities to go to schools who actually won games. Immediately he was one of my favorite players, a KU player with NFL potential. He always showed total commitment to the KU football program, even in a period where more players were transferring than ever. All Devin Neal was, was a Jayhawk, and he never showed a hint of being anything else. He is the epitome of a Kansas legend, and due to his impact, KU’s football program has received higher recruits than it has ever in the past.
The guidance that he has provided has given hope to the future of the program. Devin Neal is Lawrence’s favorite son, one of the greatest players in KU history for his on and off the field contributions and my favorite Jayhawk ever. Thank you 4, I’m a fan for life.
