Why this is the most important spring ball of Daniel Hishaw Jr.’s Kansas football career

LAWRENCE — As Kansas football started its spring practices this month, the team welcomed back former players now pursuing a professional career.

One of them, running back Devin Neal, was among the former KU players who participated in the recent NFL Combine and a key member of the Jayhawks' rebuild under head coach Lance Leipold.

But Neal’s presence on campus, not in uniform, shined a spotlight on Daniel Hishaw Jr., a senior-to-be who is line to replace Neal as KU's lead running back.

“He’s moving really well,” Leipold said. “I think he’s had a fine start to this semester. I think he sees the opportunity and he knows that he’s in a good spot and all of that. So, we’re excited about that, and the rest of that room will continue to develop and there’ll be good competition there.”

That competition could include a fellow senior, Leshon Williams, who has transferred from Iowa, sophomore Johnny Thompson Jr. and freshman Harry Stewart III.

Though Hishaw has the inside track, availability has hindered him at times. He rushed for 376 yards and three scores touchdowns last season. Hishaw was more productive in 2023, rushing for 626 yards and eight touchdowns in 13 games — despite Neal still rushing for 1,280 yards and 16 touchdowns for a team that would win a bowl game.

KU offensive coordinator Jim Zebrowski said he has noticed growth from Hishaw since Neal’s departure.

Matt Gildersleeve, KU’s director of sports performance, is most pleased with Hishaw's approach. At 5-foot-10 and 220 pounds, Hishaw is a special athlete in Gildersleeve’s mind.

“Most importantly, he’s one of the first ones in the building, he’s one of the last ones to leave,” Gildersleeve said. “He’s cleaning the racks after the training sessions. He’s getting guys to take their supplements. He’s calling guys to do their recovery. … And those things just haven’t necessarily been priorities in the past. And so, to see him in the headspace he’s in right now, that’s by far what I’m most pleased with, with him.”

Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He is the National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas for 2022. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.