photo by: AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

New Orleans Saints running back Devin Neal (30) goes through drills during the NFL football team's rookie minicamp in Metairie, La., Saturday, May 10, 2025.

When he spoke to New Orleans media for the first time on April 26, shortly after the Saints selected him in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, former Kansas running back Devin Neal admitted he had “been waiting to get out of Lawrence.”

The hometown hero certainly made his mark on the city, first as a multi-sport Chesty Lion standout and later as he became the face of the KU football rebuild and eventually the program’s all-time leading rusher. But his professional career was set to start far from home in an entirely new environment.

“I’m so excited to go to New Orleans,” he said at the time.

Neal made it to the Big Easy late last week in time for the Saints’ rookie minicamp, officially signed a four-year contract on Friday and began his professional career.

“You work so much and you work so long for these opportunities, and to be here is definitely a dream come true, and I don’t take it for granted,” he told reporters in New Orleans on Saturday. “Each and every time I put on that helmet, I know it could possibly be my last so I’m going to go out as much as I can and go all out.”

Neal has previously said he had met with the Saints during the predraft process but hadn’t necessarily had a high quantity of in-depth interactions with the club. However, the team’s running backs coach, Joel Thomas, had previously served as Neal’s offensive coordinator at the Senior Bowl earlier in the offseason, back when Thomas was with the Giants, before he joined the Saints’ staff in February.

KU coach Lance Leipold has spoken in the past about how much time Neal spent in running backs coach Jonathan Wallace’s office during his freshman year of college, allowing him to catch on quickly and take on a big role early on. Thomas may be the next frequent companion for the young running back.

“It’s definitely going to be faster-paced,” Neal said. “I have to catch up … and spend some extra time with Coach Thomas and just get the ball rolling, honestly.”

Neal enters a room with young players like his former Big 12 rival Kendre Miller, a third-round pick out of TCU in 2023, as well as Jordan Mims, Xazavian Valladay and Marcus Yarns; a converted wide receiver in Velus Jones Jr.; and veteran former Kansas City Chief Clyde Edwards-Helaire. The headliner, though, is Alvin Kamara, a five-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro who was the offensive rookie of the year in 2017.

“It’s really cool,” Neal said. “I haven’t gotten the chance to speak to him yet. That’s all coming next week when we integrate with all the veterans. It’s going to be cool just to learn from him, he’s obviously done amazing things in this league, and I’ll do whatever it takes to just get a little bit of that insight from him of what makes him great.”

Neal has described himself as an every-down back, with his patience and vision as particular strengths, but he’ll have work to do to climb New Orleans’ depth chart as the Saints enter their first season under new head coach Kellen Moore.

“I just think I’m super dynamic and versatile,” he said on Saturday. “Whatever role that I carve out with this team, I’m going to look to definitely maximize that too, so yeah, whatever it takes, whatever role that might be, I’m excited for.”

The Saints concluded their rookie minicamp on Sunday. Players will take part in offseason workouts periodically beginning on May 20, ahead of mandatory minicamp on June 12.

photo by: AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) hands off to running back Devin Neal (30) goes through drills during the NFL football team’s rookie minicamp in Metairie, La., Saturday, May 10, 2025.