Two all-time KU greats nominated for Big 12 Athlete of the Year

Two of KU’s all-time greats in their respective sports — running back Devin Neal and setter Camryn Turner — recently were named as Kansas’ nominees for the title of Big 12 Athlete of the Year.

The winners, one male and one female, will be announced on Thursday, July 24, and the Big 12 is rolling out the nominees from each school all the way through Wednesday.

The list was formed when each Big 12 institution nominated one male and one female athlete of any classification who competed for their institution during the 2024-25 school year. Student-athletes were required to be in good academic stand-ing and must have participated in a league-sponsored sport.

As if you need it, here’s a quick rundown of what Neal and Turner accomplished during the most recent school year, keeping in mind that their contributions to KU football and Kansas volleyball went well beyond the accomplishments of a single season.

Devin Neal, Football

Lawrence, Kan.

• Started all 12 games in his senior season, rushing for 1,266 yards with 16 touch-downs. Became the first Jayhawk ever to rush for 1,000 or more yards in three sea-sons.

• Became Kansas’ all-time leader in rushing yards (4,343), rushing touchdowns (49) and 100-yard games (25).

• Earned 2024 All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors. His 4,343 career rushing yards ranked fifth on the Big 12’s all-time list.

• Graduated in the spring of 2025 with a degree in sport management and a minor in business. Named a semifinalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year.

• Camryn Turner, Volleyball

Topeka, Kan.

• AVCA National Player of the Year Semifinalist and AVCA All-America Third Team All-American.

• Earned All-Big 12 First Team honors after leading the league with 11.29 assists per set. Her 1,219 assists in 2024 ranked sixth on KU’s single-season list.

• Finished her career No. 5 in career assists (4,030), No. 7 in assists per set (9.55) and No. 10 in digs (1,145) in KU program history.

• Graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sport management and a minor in business. Academic All-Big 12 honoree and recipient of KU’s 2025 Marlene Mawson Exemplary Woman Student-Athlete Award. Served as Kansas’ SAAC President.