See everything the Jayhawk had to say after the New Orleans Saints picked him on Saturday.
Devin Neal is a member of the New Orleans Saints. With the 184th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Saints selected Neal, who will play for a team outside of his hometown of Lawrence for the first time in his life. He will play under a coaching staff new to New Orleans, led by head coach Kellen Moore and offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier.
Moore, the former Eagles offensive coordinator in 2024-25, takes over for a Saints team that finished at the bottom of the NFC South with a 5-12 record in 2024 and missed the playoffs. The Saints go into the fall with Neal, who is joined by fellow running backs Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller and Jordan Mims.
On the other side is Neal, who had more success in his previous season. While the Jayhawks were also a five-win club, Neal finished the season with 1,266 yards and 16 touchdowns on 219 carries. By the end of his collegiate career, Neal racked up multiple accolades, including becoming KU's all-time leading rusher with 4,343 rushing yards.
After being drafted, Neal met with reporters to discuss his reaction to being picked. Here's everything he said:
On how he feels post-draft…
"It's a dream come true. Spending the time with my family and my friends here, all in my house in Lawrence, it's special. It's a special day. I'm just super excited to play for this great organization and have the opportunity and the blessings that God has given me to play this game for a little longer. So I'm definitely excited."
On sharing a backfield with Alvin Kamara…
"That's a guy that's been on my top list of running backs in the league for a long, long time. To learn from him, to try to follow his footsteps in the best way I can, I'm honored. I'm going to be a sponge in the best way as I can to learn from him. Hopefully, pick up a lot of great things that he does well. Definitely honored to be in the same room with him as well."
On his pre-draft interactions with the Saints front office…
"I talked to them briefly, not too much. I talked to them at the Senior Bowl. I didn't really have any extra zooms or anything like that with them. Now, coach [Joel] Thomas, the running back coach, was actually with the Giants when he was the offensive coordinator for me at the Senior Bowl. That connection is still there, obviously. Now that he's my running back coach. It's special. We build a special bond. We get each other, we kind of click in that way where we kind of understand what each other is going to bring to the table. He's a straight shooter, and I really enjoy that about him. So definitely excited to be working with him as well."
On if his performance vs. Colorado (287 total yards and 4 total touchdowns) improved his draft stock…
"I feel like it's just one of the games to my resume for sure. It was one of the games I put it all together. But I think my whole body of work speaks for itself. Hopefully, I can continue that for the Saints as well."
On why his favorite running back is Adrian Peterson…
"For whatever reason, my dad was an OU fan, and we always watched Oklahoma growing up. So when I was younger, watching Adrian Peterson, obviously he was easy to like as a football player and to see what he does. Then he goes to the Minnesota Vikings and does what he does there, too. He's just a special player, special athlete. He did everything the right way. I just truly believe that he's one of the best running backs of all time in the NFL. Hopefully, I can follow in his footsteps."
On if he models his game after Peterson or any other NFL running back…
"I wouldn't say so when it comes to AP. For me personally, I like to not necessarily model my game after running backs. But watch different running backs around the league and see what they do well, and try to imitate that the best I can in my in my game. I watch a lot of film, I deep dive on these running backs and just try to apply that to my own game as well."
On how he would characterize his running style…
"I'm a patient runner that has great vision and great feel for different run schemes. I'm a make-you-miss guy, but I can also use my power as well. I just believe for myself, that I'm an every-down type of back, and I can play on all downs and be well in the passing game as well. That's just who I think I am as a player. I'm hoping to do whatever it takes to get on the field and do what it takes."
On what it's like to play somewhere else other than Lawrence, Kansas for the first time…
"I've been waiting to get out of Lawrence. I'm so excited to go to New Orleans. It's definitely a spot that I've been to before, and I enjoyed every moment of it. So I'm looking forward to getting down there and meeting the team and getting everything rolling and just playing football again. It's been such a long time. I'm just really excited."
On his experience at the Senior Bowl…
"I loved the Senior Bowl. It was another opportunity for me to go prove myself. For me, I've always do myself as the underdog, and I've always felt like I've had to prove my way around. This is no other test for me. It's just another day in the park for me to go and prove myself. That's exactly what I did at the Senior Bowl as well. It was great experience. I learned a lot, especially from Coach Thomas. I'm just looking forward to playing football again."
On if he spoke to fellow Saints draftee Tyler Shough (QB, Louisville)...
"We talked at the combine a lot. We talked at the Senior Bowl a little bit. I definitely have a good rapport with him. And we played against each other when he was at Texas Tech. So I know a lot about him. I know about his game, and I'm definitely excited to pair up with him and see how far we can take the Saints."
On the scheme he was a part of at KU…
"I would say we were more wide-zone-verse this year. In years past, I believe we're more of a balanced attack. We've ran a plethora of different run schemes. Wide zone, gap scheme, we were RPO as well with play action mixed in there. I would probably say we're primarily a gap and zone scheme type of team, but it's pretty balanced both ways."
On playing under Kellen Moore…
"I'm definitely excited. I know they love to run the football and be well doing it. I'm definitely excited to get under him, learn from all of them. And get my feet wet, honestly, and learn what it takes to be in the NFL and be a good back in the NFL as well."
On becoming the all-time leading rusher at KU…
"It was special for me. Going into KU, I never imagined that being my story. But for me to achieve that at that university, it meant so much to me. I was super honored to be that and do whatever it takes to win, ultimately, at the University of Kansas, because that was my main goal."
On being a team captain last year…
"I take being a captain very seriously. I don't think it's just something that you just put on your jersey. I take it as a job, and your job is to take the good with the bad and to always hold guys accountable. So it's not the easiest job, and it's not the most welcoming, especially if you know what it takes. I'm the type of guy that does whatever it takes for the team to win, because that's just who I am. I'm never a 'Me first' type of guy. I'm always about the team, and, ultimately, winning. I want to win a Super Bowl with the Saints and do whatever it takes for that. If I need to take majority of special teams reps, that's exactly what I'm going to do. Because I'm just an unselfish player, and I do what it takes."
On if he was in New Orleans for KU basketball's 2022 National Championship…
"No, I did not. I was watching at home."
On playing against former TCU running back Kendre Miller and their interactions…
"He's obviously a great running back. We faced each other, and it was a great battle. Always kept up with him as well. definitely know about him. I know he was a great player at TCU. I'm just excited to be part of the unit. I feel like we have a great running back room. I think we're going to be really diverse in what we do."
This article originates on Phog.net.
Deion Sanders disputes Shedeur Sanders criticism as son continues NFL Draft slide
Deion Sanders came to his son's defense.
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders tops the list of best players available heading into Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft after sliding out of the first round. Projected to be a potential top-five pick, Sanders watched several teams in need of a quarterback bypass him. The fall was not all that surprising to some with reports of concerns earlier this week about his coachability and demeanor surfacing in multiple conversations with league personnel. Furthermore, ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky highlighted specific in-game clips of Sanders holding the ball too long — a take Deion Sanders took issue with.
"If Shedeur doesn't go early tonight, plays like these, I believe, will be a reason why and what he will have to work on in the NFL," Orlovsky posted to social media prior to the start of the first round.
After another user replied with, "Turned into a hate. Hate to see it man," Deion quoted the posted and said, "Yes he did! Wow."
Despite all the accolades and record-setting numbers from Shedeur Sanders during his two seasons in Boulder, questions remain about his maturity and leadership. Reports from the NFL Combine were mixed, with teams describing Sanders as "brash" and "arrogant" in interviews.
Deion Sanders previously suggested he would steer his son away from certain teams — a stance that drew criticism from some corners of the NFL. While he has since softened that position concerns about the environment Shedeur has developed in remain.
"The worst formal interview I've ever been in in my life," an anonymous NFL assistant coach said, via NFL.com. "He's so entitled. He takes unnecessary sacks. He never plays on time. He has horrible body language. He blames teammates. ... But the biggest thing is, he's not that good."
Shedeur Sanders won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award as the top upperclassman quarterback in college football for the 2024 season. The unanimous Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year picked up numerous first-team All-American selections after his record-breaking senior year. Sanders left Colorado as the NCAA's all-time career leader in completion rate with a 71.8% mark, and he paced all quarterbacks last season with a 74.0% clip. He completed 353 of his 477 passing attempts for 4,143 yards and 37 touchdowns. Each of those numbers led all Big 12 quarterbacks. He improved upon his metrics from his debut season at Colorado, which was a spectacular individual campaign in its own right. The accomplishments came on the heels of a successful freshman season at Jackson State, in which Sanders dominated FCS competition.
RELATED (VIP): Abdul Carter, Travis Hunter headline first in-person impressions of top 2025 NFL Draft prospects as recruits
The 2025 NFL Draft continues with Rounds 2 and 3 Friday in Green Bay with the final four rounds wrapping up Saturday.
Carter Bahns contributed to this report.
This article originates on 247Sports.
What Devin Neal said after being picked in the 2025 NFL Draft
See everything the Jayhawk had to say after the New Orleans Saints picked him on Saturday.
Devin Neal is a member of the New Orleans Saints. With the 184th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Saints selected Neal, who will play for a team outside of his hometown of Lawrence for the first time in his life. He will play under a coaching staff new to New Orleans, led by head coach Kellen Moore and offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier.
Moore, the former Eagles offensive coordinator in 2024-25, takes over for a Saints team that finished at the bottom of the NFC South with a 5-12 record in 2024 and missed the playoffs. The Saints go into the fall with Neal, who is joined by fellow running backs Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller and Jordan Mims.
On the other side is Neal, who had more success in his previous season. While the Jayhawks were also a five-win club, Neal finished the season with 1,266 yards and 16 touchdowns on 219 carries. By the end of his collegiate career, Neal racked up multiple accolades, including becoming KU's all-time leading rusher with 4,343 rushing yards.
After being drafted, Neal met with reporters to discuss his reaction to being picked. Here's everything he said:
On how he feels post-draft…
"It's a dream come true. Spending the time with my family and my friends here, all in my house in Lawrence, it's special. It's a special day. I'm just super excited to play for this great organization and have the opportunity and the blessings that God has given me to play this game for a little longer. So I'm definitely excited."
On sharing a backfield with Alvin Kamara…
"That's a guy that's been on my top list of running backs in the league for a long, long time. To learn from him, to try to follow his footsteps in the best way I can, I'm honored. I'm going to be a sponge in the best way as I can to learn from him. Hopefully, pick up a lot of great things that he does well. Definitely honored to be in the same room with him as well."
On his pre-draft interactions with the Saints front office…
"I talked to them briefly, not too much. I talked to them at the Senior Bowl. I didn't really have any extra zooms or anything like that with them. Now, coach [Joel] Thomas, the running back coach, was actually with the Giants when he was the offensive coordinator for me at the Senior Bowl. That connection is still there, obviously. Now that he's my running back coach. It's special. We build a special bond. We get each other, we kind of click in that way where we kind of understand what each other is going to bring to the table. He's a straight shooter, and I really enjoy that about him. So definitely excited to be working with him as well."
On if his performance vs. Colorado (287 total yards and 4 total touchdowns) improved his draft stock…
"I feel like it's just one of the games to my resume for sure. It was one of the games I put it all together. But I think my whole body of work speaks for itself. Hopefully, I can continue that for the Saints as well."
On why his favorite running back is Adrian Peterson…
"For whatever reason, my dad was an OU fan, and we always watched Oklahoma growing up. So when I was younger, watching Adrian Peterson, obviously he was easy to like as a football player and to see what he does. Then he goes to the Minnesota Vikings and does what he does there, too. He's just a special player, special athlete. He did everything the right way. I just truly believe that he's one of the best running backs of all time in the NFL. Hopefully, I can follow in his footsteps."
On if he models his game after Peterson or any other NFL running back…
"I wouldn't say so when it comes to AP. For me personally, I like to not necessarily model my game after running backs. But watch different running backs around the league and see what they do well, and try to imitate that the best I can in my in my game. I watch a lot of film, I deep dive on these running backs and just try to apply that to my own game as well."
On how he would characterize his running style…
"I'm a patient runner that has great vision and great feel for different run schemes. I'm a make-you-miss guy, but I can also use my power as well. I just believe for myself, that I'm an every-down type of back, and I can play on all downs and be well in the passing game as well. That's just who I think I am as a player. I'm hoping to do whatever it takes to get on the field and do what it takes."
On what it's like to play somewhere else other than Lawrence, Kansas for the first time…
"I've been waiting to get out of Lawrence. I'm so excited to go to New Orleans. It's definitely a spot that I've been to before, and I enjoyed every moment of it. So I'm looking forward to getting down there and meeting the team and getting everything rolling and just playing football again. It's been such a long time. I'm just really excited."
On his experience at the Senior Bowl…
"I loved the Senior Bowl. It was another opportunity for me to go prove myself. For me, I've always do myself as the underdog, and I've always felt like I've had to prove my way around. This is no other test for me. It's just another day in the park for me to go and prove myself. That's exactly what I did at the Senior Bowl as well. It was great experience. I learned a lot, especially from Coach Thomas. I'm just looking forward to playing football again."
On if he spoke to fellow Saints draftee Tyler Shough (QB, Louisville)...
"We talked at the combine a lot. We talked at the Senior Bowl a little bit. I definitely have a good rapport with him. And we played against each other when he was at Texas Tech. So I know a lot about him. I know about his game, and I'm definitely excited to pair up with him and see how far we can take the Saints."
On the scheme he was a part of at KU…
"I would say we were more wide-zone-verse this year. In years past, I believe we're more of a balanced attack. We've ran a plethora of different run schemes. Wide zone, gap scheme, we were RPO as well with play action mixed in there. I would probably say we're primarily a gap and zone scheme type of team, but it's pretty balanced both ways."
On playing under Kellen Moore…
"I'm definitely excited. I know they love to run the football and be well doing it. I'm definitely excited to get under him, learn from all of them. And get my feet wet, honestly, and learn what it takes to be in the NFL and be a good back in the NFL as well."
On becoming the all-time leading rusher at KU…
"It was special for me. Going into KU, I never imagined that being my story. But for me to achieve that at that university, it meant so much to me. I was super honored to be that and do whatever it takes to win, ultimately, at the University of Kansas, because that was my main goal."
On being a team captain last year…
"I take being a captain very seriously. I don't think it's just something that you just put on your jersey. I take it as a job, and your job is to take the good with the bad and to always hold guys accountable. So it's not the easiest job, and it's not the most welcoming, especially if you know what it takes. I'm the type of guy that does whatever it takes for the team to win, because that's just who I am. I'm never a 'Me first' type of guy. I'm always about the team, and, ultimately, winning. I want to win a Super Bowl with the Saints and do whatever it takes for that. If I need to take majority of special teams reps, that's exactly what I'm going to do. Because I'm just an unselfish player, and I do what it takes."
On if he was in New Orleans for KU basketball's 2022 National Championship…
"No, I did not. I was watching at home."
On playing against former TCU running back Kendre Miller and their interactions…
"He's obviously a great running back. We faced each other, and it was a great battle. Always kept up with him as well. definitely know about him. I know he was a great player at TCU. I'm just excited to be part of the unit. I feel like we have a great running back room. I think we're going to be really diverse in what we do."
