photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas running back Devin Neal (4) salutes the Kansas fans following the Jayhawks’ 37-21 win over the Buffaloes. Neal rushed for 207 yards and four touchdowns on the day.

Lawrence native and former Kansas running back Devin Neal was selected by the New Orleans in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft on Saturday afternoon.

Neal, the No. 184 pick, became the first KU running back taken in the draft since June Henley in 1997, and the first Jayhawk picked overall in the 2025 draft.

In November, Neal, who returned for his senior season after considering leaving Lawrence after the 2023 campaign, passed Henley as the Jayhawks’ all-time leading rusher.

In all, Neal set new all-time best marks for the KU program with 4,343 rushing yards, 49 rushing touchdowns (passing Henley) and 20 100-yard performances on the ground (passing Tony Sands). He became arguably the central and most consistent feature of KU’s rebuilding project under head coach Lance Leipold — sticking with the program even though he had committed when Les Miles was still in charge.

Neal, a former Lawrence High Chesty Lion, will not be the only Lawrence native in the NFL. For example, Ekow Boye-Doe, with whom Neal overlapped at LHS before Boye-Doe went to Kansas State, is currently under contract with the Arizona Cardinals.

Despite entering the pros as part of a loaded class of running backs, Neal received plenty of predraft attention, including public praise from analysts for his vision and pass-catching ability. He was invited to the Senior Bowl and later took part in the NFL Scouting Combine and Big 12 Pro Day.

He is the first KU player selected by the Saints since fullback Moran Norris in 2001.