Running back Donovan McNeal contributed immediately for North Central College as a true freshman last season, although his stats may have been deceiving.

McNeal rushed for 458 yards and two touchdowns for the NCAA Division III national champion Cardinals, but the 2024 Warren graduate was the team’s fourth running back. Most of his action came in the second half of games that were all but decided.

“I made all my money at the end,” McNeal said. “I was able to take advantage of it. I treat every carry like it’s my last carry. I had to take advantage of those five or six seconds.”

The CCIW took notice, naming McNeal the offensive first-year student-athlete of the year.

“He ended up in a backup role being near the top of the CCIW in stats for rushing, which was kind of funny,” NCC coach Brad Spencer said. “He was our fourth running back, but he was 11th in rushing in the CCIW.”

McNeal was expected to be Homewood-Flossmoor graduate Sean Allen‘s backup this season. But McNeal has become the lead back for the No. 1 Cardinals (9-0) as Allen deals with injuries. Allen has missed a couple of games but is due to return for the regular-season finale against Illinois Wesleyan in Naperville on Saturday.

McNeal heads into that game as the CCIW’s leading rusher. He has 807 yards and seven touchdowns on 106 carries, averaging 7.6 yards. He also has a receiving touchdown.

“Coming into this year, I just wanted to do my best,” McNeal said. “I wasn’t really worried about my stats. I just wanted to play to the best of my ability.”

NCC offensive coordinator Eric Stuedemann was honest with McNeal during the recruitment process. The Cardinals had four returning running backs ahead of him on the depth chart.

“You’ve seen it in our program,” Stuedemann said. “(Joe) Sacco had to wait his turn. Guys do get an opportunity. They’re getting valuable reps. We’re fortunate enough to play some long seasons. You stay humble and keep working hard, and when you get a chance, you lead the CCIW in rushing. Think about how cool that is for him.”

Warren’s Donovan McNeal carries the ball during a nonconference game against Maine South in Gurnee on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. (Mark Ukena / News-Sun)

Spencer said McNeal has made the most of his opportunity.

“Donovan has been able to elevate his game,” Spencer said. “He’s taken advantage of it.

“Donny is a physical back. He combines speed and physicality. He’s not going to get taken down by the first tackler, which is a great thing. It’s a good mix of power and speed. It’s nice to have a guy running the ball that is a bit of a power back.”

McNeal is confident too.

“I know I’m prepared and ready for the big moment,” he said. “Now I make all my money in the big moments. I’m taking it game by game, not taking opponents lightly.”

This season, McNeal has been doing his damage in the first half of games before giving way to backups in blowouts. That will change in the playoffs for the Cardinals, whose closest game was a 44-15 win over Washington University.

“Right around the corner, we’re going to have four-quarter games, and we’re going to be relying on the run game,” Stuedemann said. “We try to preach that to all the guys. There’s always room for improvement. You’re always challenging yourself.”

McNeal believes his best is yet to come.

“I know I still have a lot to improve on,” he said. “This is just the beginning. Watching film, I know I can be better. It feels good that the hard work I put in is paying off. I can’t get complacent.”

Stuedemann was happy to hear McNeal say that.

“His ceiling is so high,” Stuedemann said.

Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/13/north-central-college-football-donovan-mcneal/