30 Days of Colts Fits: RB Devin Neal, Kansas

The 2025 NFL Draft is officially under a month away. In order to help you all along until draft day, I decided to start a daily prospect spotlight series to talk about some players that the Indianapolis Colts could target next month.

The players mentioned in this series will be players that I have either heard that the team is really high on or are players that just make way too much sense for the team based on fit/past draft history.

The next player up on this countdown to draft day is Kansas running back Devin Neal.

Background

Neal is a former four-star recruit who decided to stay local and attend Kansas out of high school. He made an immediate impact as an 18-year-old true freshman, totaling 762 yards as a part-time starter for the team. He emerged as a full-fledged starter the following season and held that role for the rest of his collegiate career.

Neal has been one of the best running backs in college football for the past three seasons, accumulating 4,301 total yards on 672 total touches (6.4 yards per touch). He leaves college as Kansas' all-time leader in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, and career 100-yard rushing games. He is a multi-time All-Big 12 honoree and was voted as a team captain by his teammates in his final two seasons of play.

Neal participated in the 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl, where he showcased his unique style of patience and smooth footwork on a national stage.

Kansas RB Devin Neal continues to impress on Day 3 of the #SeniorBowl

pic.twitter.com/loFN7zLV5D
— Thor Nystrom (@thorku) January 30, 2025

Size/Testing

Nov 23, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas running back Devin Neal (4) dives into the end zone during the 3rd quarter between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Colorado Buffaloes at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images | Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 213 pounds

Arm Length: 29.625 inches

Testing Numbers: 40 Time: 4.58 seconds / 10-Yard Split: 1.63 seconds / Vertical Jump: 37.5 inches / Broad Jump: 124 inches

Kansas RB Devin Neal’s ability to make defenders miss in the tightest of spaces is what makes him one of my favorite Day 3 prospects in this class. #rb #NFL #nfldraft pic.twitter.com/f1D8cTl4Zc
— Todd McShay (@McShay13) March 16, 2025

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Standout Traits on Film

Mar 1, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kansas running back Devin Neal (RB25) during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Neal lacks the high-end physical traits that most teams look for, but he makes up for it by being one of the steadier and safer players in the draft. He has been productive at the college level for all four years of his career, and that comes with defenses knowing that he was the focal point of the Jayhawks' offense. In 33 games started the past three seasons, Neal has only six games with a yards per carry under 4.0. On top of that, he's fumbled just four times in over 700 career touches.

Neal is an extremely solid running back with excellent short-area quickness, smooth feet, and the ability to make defenders miss. His ability in the pass game is above average as well, as he has always showcased the ability to make catches and create extra yards after the reception. He may not project as a dominant, workhorse back in the NFL, but he should be an above average addition to a running back rotation rather quickly.

Kansas RB Devin Neal has been one of my favorite players in college the past few seasons. He's not overly fast or powerful, but he has sweet feet, good hands, and a great feel for the position.

Remember that Chris Ballard's son plays at Kansas, so he def saw Neal a lot pic.twitter.com/buXV235k57
— Zach Hicks (@ZachHicks2) April 5, 2025

The Colts need a dependable running back behind Jonathan Taylor in case of injury. A player like Neal can provide a boost in both the run and pass game, and his ability to create extra yardage in tight quarters would be a massive plus in his limited snaps.

He may not be the exact mold the Colts are looking for in their reserve running back, but the floor is just so high for him as a player. Coming off of a year where Trey Sermon struggled to get to 3.0 yards a carry and Tyler Goodson was as erratic as it gets, bringing in a steadying presence like Neal would do wonders to this running back room.

One Rookie RB I’m hearing nothing about is Devin Neal.. Why?

🔹 Productive at young age: Averaged 1,430 yards last THREE SEASONS (still only 21) 🔥
🔹 Pass-Catcher: 77 Receptions in College 🙌
🔹 Workhorse potential 📈
🔹 Elusive + Ball security 🔒

pic.twitter.com/sfiAiUcwa0
— The Dynasty Grill (@FFDynastyGrill) March 28, 2025

Colts' Interest

Sep 13, 2024; Kansas City, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks running back Devin Neal (4) runs the ball against UNLV Rebels defensive back Jett Elad (9) and linebacker Mani Powell (16) during the first half at Children's Mercy Park. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

I haven't heard the Colts too connected to Neal throughout this draft process, but they did meet with him at the Senior Bowl back in January. One interesting wrinkle that connects him to the team is that Chris Ballard's son actually plays quarterback at Kansas. If (Chris) Ballard was tuning in to Kansas games the past few seasons to watch his son, there is no way he could ignore the things that Neal was doing on the football field.

Similarly to when the Colts brought in Jason Bean last offseason, the Kansas connection might open up for the Colts this draft season. In a running back class with so many different flavors and types, a player like Neal could be a fantastic day three selection.

OTHER ENTRIES

The 2025 Indy Draft Guide is officially available for pre-orders! 225+ in-depth scouting reports, plus how each player fits the Indianapolis Colts.

IT IS BAAAACK!

The Indy Draft Guide is officially available for pre-order this draft season. 225+ write-ups on the 2025 NFL Draft class plus how each player fits the Colts (along with some Build-A-Ballard features).

Pre-order this beauty today: https://t.co/FKsiIvr8u8
— Zach Hicks (@ZachHicks2) February 18, 2025

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