LAWRENCE — Kansas football’s running back room could be the Big 12 Conference’s best this season.

The Jayhawks have a returning duo in senior Devin Neal and redshirt junior Daniel Hishaw Jr. Redshirt junior Sevion Morrison and redshirt senior Torry Locklin are back as well. And that’s not even mentioning the likes of redshirt freshman Johnny Thompson Jr. and freshmen Red Martel and Harry Stewart III.

But what is it going to take to get there? Who is going to be there to push Neal and Hishaw to be even better? Can one of the younger guys make a name for himself?

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Here are a few things to think about for the running back position as spring ball continues:

Devin Neal and Daniel Hishaw Jr. are still the 2 main names to know

Hishaw made sure to point out recently that the position group is deep. It’s not just him and Neal, he explained. But Hishaw is glad Neal elected to return to college for one more year, and envisions embarking on a professional career with Neal at some point in the future as well.

Neal has led Kansas in yards rushing and rushing scores each of the past three seasons. Hishaw, after being hindered by injury in 2021 and 2022, played a full season in 2023 and showed he can be a lead running back in his own right. It was challenging for Hishaw to have to go through what he went through, but he feels he has a better mindset and physically he feels great as he’s focused more on his eating habits and weight.

Sevion Morrison is a potential breakout candidate

Morrison hasn’t quite established himself since he transferred in from Nebraska ahead of the 2022 season. His statistics have been limited. But Kansas running backs coach Jonathan Wallace appeared eager to see what Morrison can show during spring ball this year.

Wallace also described Morrison as someone who brings comfort and reliability, because of the time he’s spent with the Jayhawks and how he balances the room out with his maturity. Wallace noted Morrison has a wide skillet, is a natural receiver and has quick feet. Wallace added you can see the confidence Morrison has in each rep he takes.

Kansas’ early enrollees help provide depth

Wallace referred to Thompson as someone who’ll have a chance at some point, and as someone who’s made a lot of strides from fall camp to now. But what can really shore up the depth at this position for Kansas is the continued emergence of its two early enrollees at the position — Stewart and Martel. Both Hishaw and Neal spent time praising those two recently, highlighting their commitment to what it takes to be a part of the Jayhawks’ program.

Wallace said they’re trying to not put too much on Stewart and Martel, but added it’s been fun to see what they’ve been able to do. Stewart, especially, is someone who looks like he is physically ready to go. And, in addition to being physically imposing, Wallace highlighted that Stewart is someone who is very much like Neal in how he is eager to call at night with questions and want to analyze film.

That Neal and Hishaw are available as resources for Stewart and Martel is something Wallace views as critical. The newcomers can see firsthand the process those veterans have day-to-day in all aspects of their lives. It’s something Wallace thinks will help Stewart and Martel set their own routines.

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.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Here's what you need to know about Kansas football's running backs