Devin Neal Exhilarates CFB Fans with 4 TDs in Upset Win vs. Deion, Shedeur, Colorado
Nov 24, 2024
KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 23: Kansas Jayhawks running back Devin Neal (4) crosses the goal line for a touchdown in the second quarter of a Big 12 game between the Colorado Buffaloes and Kansas Jayhawks on November 23, 2024 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Kansas is continuing to keep the top of the Big-12 on notice.
One week after ending BYU's quest for an undefeated season, the Jayhawks handed Colorado their second conference loss with a 37-21 victory.
DEVIN NEAL AND KANSAS HAND NO. 16 COLORADO ITS THIRD LOSS OF THE SEASONโผ๏ธ pic.twitter.com/JVgW0HmTBh
Kansas held the Buffaloes offense to just 308 total yards. The bulk of that came from senior quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who went 23-of-29 for 266 yards and three touchdowns. The rushing attack managed to gain just 42 yards while eight penalties really put the Buffaloes in a tough position.
Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels went 14-of-21 for 189 yards and a touchdown in the winning effort. However, the star of the day for Kansas was running back Devin Neal.
"We built this, and we take a lot of pride in that... I can't imagine being part of a better school."@KU_Football RB Devin Neal spoke with Allison Williams about the emotions of a historic win over Colorado in his final home game as a Jayhawk. pic.twitter.com/QCSauyiAZ7
Neal had 37 carries for 207 yards and three touchdowns on the ground while also adding four catches for 80 yards and a touchdown through the air. He has now exceeded 1,000 rushing yards on the season and improved his stock for the 2025 NFL Draft.
Fans took to social media to praise Neal and the Jayhawks for the upset win.
Iโm going to miss Devin Neal in college but boy I can not wait for this guy to be in the NFL. Will be on all of my fantasy teams.pic.twitter.com/oo3meeTAOX
It's a really deep RB class, but don't sleep on Devin Neal. He'll factor into a rotation next year in the NFL. Slasher back with really good speed. Able receiver out of the backfield.
#KUfball RB Devin Neal just went over 1,000 yards for the season, making him the first Jayhawk to have three 1,000-yard seasons in his career. All the records. All the touchdowns. All the yards. Pure greatness. In every sense of the word.
The win was Kansas' third consecutive and fourth in five games. While the Jayhawks are not in contention for a conference title, Week 14 will provide a big opportunity for them nonetheless.
Kansas will enter that game against Baylor at 5-6 and a win would secure the team bowl eligibility. Baylor will hope to play spoiler and position themselves for a better bowl while the Jayhawks will be playing to keep their season going.
Cobee Bryant NFL Draft 2025: Scouting Report for Kansas CB
Nov 13, 2024
CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 07: Kansas Jayhawks CB Cobee Bryant (2) during a college football game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and Kansas Jayhawks on September 7, 2024 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, IL. (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HEIGHT: 6'0"
WEIGHT: 180
HAND: 9ยผโ
ARM: 31ยผโ
WINGSPAN: 77"
40-YARD DASH: 4.53
POSITIVES
โ Long-armed cornerback that does a very good job of using his length to his advantage, especially in bump and runs.
โ Toolsy athlete who consistently flashes a handful of traits. Athleticism and ball skills are a couple of the top traits.
โ Has ball hawk tendencies. When able to get his head around and track the ball, he looks to turn into the receiver and highpoint the ball.
โ Willing tackler who fills his role. Shows good aggressiveness and throws his body around, shooting through the thigh boards.
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NEGATIVES
โ Questionable top end speed. Receivers seem to run away from him downfield.
โ Shows some hip tightness and trouble transitioning. This prohibits his change of direction, seeming to get stuck in mud at times.
โ Loose and inconsistent technique can lead to some wasted movement in transitioning and poor positioning.
โ 3-star recruit in the 2020 class, per 247Sports
โ 2024 Unanimous First Team All-Big 12; AFCA Coaches Second Team All-America
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โ 2023: First Team All-Big 12
โ 2022: First Team All-Big 12
OVERALL
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Cobee Bryant is a long-armed cornerback with standout athletic traits and ball-hawking tendencies. His natural athleticism and length allow him to thrive in bump-and-run coverage, making him an intriguing mid-round prospect. Though his technical skills need refining, Bryant's playmaking ability and aggressiveness stand out.
Bryant excels in using his length to disrupt receivers, especially in press coverage. His ball skills are impressive, showing a knack for tracking and high-pointing throws. However, his top-end speed is questionable, and he shows hip tightness, leading to issues transitioning in coverage. His inconsistent technique can result in wasted movement and poor positioning.
Bryant is a willing and aggressive tackler, filling his role in the run game. Though not the most physical cornerback, he shows good effort in run support and does a solid job wrapping up ball-carriers, often shooting through the thigh boards to secure the tackle.
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Cobee Bryant projects as a mid-round pick with the potential to develop into a starter with proper refinement. His ball skills and athletic upside give him a high ceiling, but he will need to improve his technique, transitions, and top-end speed to succeed at the next level.
Prospect workout numbers, measurables (40-yard dash, hand size, etc.) and 2024 statistics will be added at a later date.
Lightning Near West Virginia's Stadium Captured in Photo as Game vs. Kansas Delayed
Sep 21, 2024
MORGANTOWN, WV - SEPTEMBER 21: Severe weather in the area caused play to be suspended during the fourth quarter of the college football game between the Kansas Jayhawks and the West Virginia Mountaineers on September 21, 2024, at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, WV. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Milan Puskar Stadium has not been blessed with great weather during the 2024 collegiate football season.
The West Virginia-Kansas Game was suspended with just under 11 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter due to a lightning strike in close proximity to the stadium.
A lightning strike is shown in the distance above Mountaineer Field in Morgantown during the game between Kansas and West Virginia on Saturday. The game is currently in a lightning delay. (Photo by me) pic.twitter.com/yEMJgtzhWq
The fans at the game were advised to seek shelter in the concourse, restrooms and even their vehicles or the Mountaineer's nearby practice facility.
This is not the first time West Virginia has dealt with a weather issue during the 2024 season as the opener against Penn State featured a two-hour lightning delay. West Virginia would lose that matchup 34-12.
The initial lightning was eventually joined by significant rainfall, with an end to the delay not appearing close.
Kansas led West Virginia 21-17 when the delay began. Both teams entered with 1-2 records and are looking to start conference play on a high note.
Kansas Unveils New Red Uniforms for 2024 CFB Season in Video, Photos
Aug 15, 2024
MOBILE, AL - FEBRUARY 01: A general view of a Kansas Jayhawks helmet during the National team practice for the Reese's Senior Bowl on February 1, 2024 at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Kansas Jayhawks will be sporting some new uniforms in 2024.
The program revealed new red jerseys for the upcoming season on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
The jerseys feature white helmets as well as white and blue stripes on the uniform. However, red is the overall color of the uniform, a change from their usual blue look.
Kansas is hoping for a big season in 2024. The Jayhawks went 9-4 in 2023 and defeated UNLV in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl. This was the first winning season since 2008 and now the team will hope to string together a few strong seasons.
As they look to do this, they will be wearing new jerseys and playing in a few new venues while their on-campus stadium undergoes renovations.
The Jayhawks will open the 2024 season on Aug. 29 against Lindenwood. Kansas will open up Big 12 play against West Virginia on Sept. 21.
Kenny Logan Jr. NFL Draft 2024: Scouting Report for Kansas State S
Apr 23, 2024
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 26: Safety Kenny Logan Jr. #1 of the Kansas Jayhawks reacts after a penalty during the Guaranteed Rate Bowl game against the UNLV Rebels at Chase Field on December 26, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Jayhawks defeated the Rebels 49-36. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
HEIGHT: 6'0"
WEIGHT: 210
HAND: 9โ "
ARM: 31ยพ"
WINGSPAN: 75ยพ"
40-YARD DASH: 4.69
3-CONE: 7.14
SHUTTLE: 4.53
VERTICAL: 33"
BROAD: 9'8"
POSITIVES
โ Physical and decisive defender. Secure tackler in space and in the box. Also flashes big hits.
โ Shows good play recognition. Triggers quick to the run and takes on blocks well.
โ Nose for the ball. Has shown consistency in his production year-to-year against the run, with 95 total tackles being his lowest over the last three seasons.
NEGATIVES
โ Too often looks for the big hit. Can drop his head, leading to missed tackles.
โ Poor eyes in coverage. Can get taken advantage of with play action.
2023 STATISTICS
โ 13 G, 95 TOT, 7 TFL, 1 FF, 6 PD, 1 INT
NOTES
โ Born Oct. 25, 2000
โ 44 career starts
โ 3-star recruit in the 2019 class, per 247Sports
โ 2023 preseason All-Big 12 first team (Phil Steele)
โ 2022 All-Big 12 honorable mention (Coaches)
โ 2021 All-Big 12 second team (AP, Coaches)
โ 2020 All-Big 12 honorable mention (returner).
โ East-West Shrine Invite
โ His brother, Brandon, played college football at Florida State
OVERALL
Logan started 13 games this past season at safety and tallied an impressive 95 total tackles. The hard-hitting safety also came away with seven tackles for loss and six pass breakups. The fifth-year senior made his presence felt all over the field for his entire career.
Logan shows good instincts in zone coverage with quick closing ability. He shows good ball skills and tracks the ball well downfield. He does struggle at times with play action, though, as he can get overaggressive and gets caught with his eyes in the backfield.
Logan is a sure tackler and can come downhill and make his presence felt. He has shown consistency in his production year-to-year in the run game, but he can fail to hold up at times when trying to get off blocks.
Overall, the best part of Logan's game is how he plays the run. A fearless defender, he shoots the gaps and does his best to correct the teammates in front of him.
While Logan might not be the fastest or most explosive athlete on the field, he was highly productive in college, with 95 tackles being his lowest total over the last three seasons. Overall, Logan being well-rounded against the pass and run should give him the ability to find a role in the NFL.
GRADE: 6.7 (Potential Role Player/Contributor โ 4th Round)
Report: Lance Leipold, Kansas Agree to New Contract with Average Salary Around $7M
Feb 28, 2024
PHOENIX, AZ - DECEMBER 26: Kansas Jayhawks head coach Lance Leipold on the sidelines agaisnt the UNLV Rebels during the second half of the Guaranteed Rate Bowl college football game between the Kansas Jayhawks and the UNLV Rebels on December 26, 2023, at Chase Field in Phoenix, AZ. (Photo by Zac BonDurant/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
After leading Kansas to its best record since 2007, head coach Lance Leipold has been rewarded with a new contract.
Per ESPN's Pete Thamel, Leipold's deal with the Jayhawks will pay him more than $7 million per season that ranks among the top three average annual salaries among Big 12 coaches.
Kansas originally hired Leipold in April 2021 after he went 37-33 in six seasons at Buffalo. He was tasked with turning around a Jayhawks program that lost at least nine games in each of the previous 11 seasons, including going 0-9 in 2020.
The Jayhawks' last bowl appearance was a 42-21 win over Minnesota in the Insight Bowl on Dec. 31, 2008.
After a 2-10 record in his first season, Leipold got Kansas back to respectability with a 6-7 record in 2022. They played in the Liberty Bowl, losing 55-53 to Arkansas in a double-overtime thriller.
Last season wound up being one of the best in the history of Kansas football. The team finished 9-4 and climbed as high as No. 16 in the College Football Playoff standings.
Kansas' 2023 season was highlighted by a 38-33 win over Oklahoma. It was the program's first victory over the Sooners since October 1997, snapping a streak of 18 consecutive losses.
The Jayhawks finished the season with a victory over UNLV in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl. It was their first bowl victory in 15 years.
With Oklahoma and Texas leaving the Big 12 to join the SEC next season, the door is open for new teams to take over as the program to beat in the conference.
Kansas still has work to do if it wants to get to that level, but Leipold's success with the program in just three seasons makes it easy to envision a scenario in which it is challenging for Big 12 titles on an annual basis.
Austin Booker NFL Draft 2024: Scouting Report for Kansas EDGE
Feb 15, 2024
LAWRENCE, KS - NOVEMBER 18: Kansas Jayhawks defensive lineman Austin Booker (9) before a Big 12 football game between the Kansas State Wildcats and Kansas Jayhawks on Nov 18, 2023 at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, KS. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HEIGHT: 6'5"
WEIGHT: 240
HAND: 9ยผ"
ARM: 33โ "
WINGSPAN: 81โ "
40-YARD DASH: 4.79
3-CONE:
SHUTTLE:
VERTICAL: 32.5"
BROAD: 10'0"
POSITIVES
โ Great frame with room to add weight and long arms. Also has impressive movement skills, giving him a high ceiling in the NFL.
โ Uses his hands and long limbs well as a pass-rusher to help "defeat the hands to defeat the man."
โ Wide pass-rush arsenal that includes a cross chop, inside stick move, ghost rush and hand swipe.
โ Solid bend at the top of the rush.
โ Quick to get his hands up as a run defender and is physical at the point of attack.
โ Also has good block recognition to avoid getting reached.
NEGATIVES
โ Very inexperienced with only one college start and barely saw the field before the 2023 season.
โ Wiry and lacks strength. Will likely struggle to hold up against the run initially.
โ Not explosive off the line of scrimmage to threaten offensive tackles with speed around the edge.
โ Slow run-pass transitions versus play action.
2023 STATISTICS
โ 12 G, 56 TOT, 8.0 SK, 12.0 TFL, 2 FF, 1 PD
NOTES
โ 3-star recruit in the 2021 class, per 247Sports
โ No major injuries
โ Transferred to Kansas from Minnesota ahead of the 2023 season
โ Dad, Duaine, played college football at Liberty University and Taylor University; mom, Katie, played college basketball at Taylor University
OVERALL
Austin Booker is an intriguing Day 2 prospect, as his combination of length and movement skills give him a high ceiling as a pass-rusher in the NFL. His change of direction and quickness really stand out on film. That gives him a deadly inside stick move and helps when turning speed to power.
Booker also uses his long limbs well to work the offensive lineman's hands either before or after initial contact. That's a big reason why he's able to win with so many pass-rush moves like the ones listed above.
The biggest knocks on the former Jayhawk are a lack of experience and a lean frame that will cause him issues against the run in the NFL. He'll need to add about 15 pounds to be able to hold his ground when taking on blocks from offensive linemen.
However, he has plenty of room to add size, and he shows a physical mindset to become a three-down player with more time in the weight room. That will also make his long arms even more of an asset, as he'll be able to get more extension to help shed or get off blocks.
Whichever team drafts Booker will have to be patient with him, as he'll probably only be a situational pass-rusher for a year or two. But he'd be a great fit as a standup outside linebacker for a defense that uses a lot of odd fronts.
Report: Lance Leipold Withdraws from Washington HC Search, Expected to Stay at Kansas
Jan 14, 2024
PHOENIX, AZ - DECEMBER 26: Kansas Jayhawks head coach Lance Leipold looks on during the Guaranteed Rate Bowl college football game between the Kansas Jayhawks and the UNLV Rebels on December 26, 2023 at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Lance Leipold has withdrawn from the Washington coaching search and is expected to stay with Kansas, per The Athletic's Chris Vannini.
The Jayhawks' head coach, who led Kansas to a 9-4 record last season, posted his excitement to be with his team again on social media Sunday, shutting down any rumors that he's taking the job at Washington.
"The guys come back to campus tomorrow," Leipold wrote. "Can't wait to get back to work with them in '24!! Rock Chalk!!"
The guys come back to campus tomorrow. Canโt wait to get back to work with them in โ24!!
According to Vannini, Leipold is also expected to receive a contract extension at Kansas after earning $5.75 million in 2023.
Leipold has had a successful tenure as Kansas' head coach, and it has led to interest from several other schools, including Washington. Leipold took over as the Jayhawks' head coach in 2021 after the team went 0-9 under Les Miles in 2020. Kansas went 2-10 in his first season, but showed growth in 2022, going 6-7.
This year, Kansas saw its best season since 2007, finishing 9-4 with a win over Oklahoma and a second-straight bowl appearance. Before the 2023 season, the Jayhawks had 14-consecutive losing seasons.
Now, Washington will continue its search to replace Kalen Deboer, who left to take over as Alabama's head coach following Nick Saban's retirement. Whoever ends up as the Huskies' head coach will have big shoes to fill, as Deboer went 25-3 in his two seasons, reaching the national championship game this year.
Jalon Daniels Announces Return to Kansas for 2024 Season After Injury-Plagued 2023
Nov 16, 2023
LAWRENCE, KS - SEPTEMBER 23: Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels (6) throws a pass before a Big 12 football game between the Brigham Young Cougars and Kansas Jayhawks on Sep 23, 2023 at David Booth Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, KS. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels has played just three games this season because of injuries, but Jayhawks fans can take solace knowing he will be back next year.
"The adversity that I have faced this season will help me come back even stronger when the time is right," Daniels announced Thursday. "Kansas is a very special place to me, and I will be back next season to continue to move the program forward under Coach Leipold. Rock Chalk!"
Daniels missed the season-opening win over Missouri State but led the Jayhawks to victories in each of the next three contests against Illinois, Nevada and BYU.
Everything seemed to be lining up for an excellent season for the program with the Big 12 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year leading the way under center. However, he was then ruled out shortly before the Sept. 30 showdown with Texas for what was described as back tightness in pregame warmups.
He hasn't played since.
There has been some uncertainty about the entire situation, as he was apparently available if needed for the Oct. 28 game against Oklahoma but didn't travel with the team for the Nov. 4 road matchup against Iowa State.
To Kansas' credit, it is still 7-3 overall and 4-3 in Big 12 play even with its expected offensive leader missing much of the season. It is also No. 25 in the College Football Playoff rankings, which is a notable accomplishment for a program without a rich history of overwhelming success.
But it is also easy to think about what might have been if Daniels was healthy all season.
Jason Bean has played in his place and completed 59.7 percent of his passes for 1,431 yards, 10 touchdowns and four interceptions while adding another score on the ground. If the Jayhawks can defeat Kansas State and Cincinnati to end the season, they will likely find themselves in a notable bowl.
And that could be a building block toward a highly anticipated 2024 campaign when Daniels will be back and the Big 12 will look different thanks to the additions of Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah.
