Kyle Monangai spent five years in college after not appearing at all in 2020, but now he is ready to move into the next chapter of his life. The standout Rutgers running back is putting all of his film and statistics on the line for the chance to show what he can do at the highest level of competition.
Height: 5 ft – 9 in
Weight: 211 lb
Age: 23
Position: Running Back
College: Rutgers
College Career Summary:
Monangai started his college career in 2020 and spent the next four to five years with Rutgers, not once transferring to a new situation. If there’s one thing that is far certain, at least you know that he’s loyal. Regardless of that, he didn’t touch the ball in 2020, resulting in him getting that extra year. In 2021, he appeared in 11 games as a backup running back, rushing for only 236 yards and four touchdowns with an extra 70 receiving yards. His 2022 season was equally slow, but he did have improved numbers. This time around, he had rushed for 445 yards but scored fewer touchdowns, with only two of them to his name. It wasn’t until 2023 and 2024 that he began making a name for himself as a full-time starter. In 2023, he rushed for 1,262 yards and eight touchdowns, making a new career high in receiving yards with 78 as well. The following year, he rushed for 1,279 yards and 13 touchdowns, with a receiving touchdown sprinkled on top. Both of these 1,200-yard rushing seasons helped catapult his draft stock, even if he is still projected to get taken in the later rounds. Thanks to his efforts in the 2023 season, he was awarded Second-Team All-Big Ten honors, and in 2024, he was awarded First-Team All-Big Ten honors.
2024 Season
Games Played: 11
Yards: 1,279 rushing, 75 receiving
Touchdowns: 13 rushing, one receiving
Career Stats:
- 52 games played
- 3,222 rushing yards
- 27 total touchdowns
- 669 rush attempts
- 38 receptions
Passing/Rushing/Receiving/Defensive Metrics:
- 8 yards per carry throughout his career
- 6 yards per reception throughout his career
- 252 career receiving yards
Strengths:
- Exceptional contact balance, creates extra yards
- Remarkable discipline when it comes to ball security
- Deceiving patience before exploding through run gaps
- Muscular frame allows for durability and high workloads
- Lauded for his toughness and leadership qualities
- Rapid change of direction and sharp cutting angles
Weaknesses:
- Limited when it comes to long speed
- Pass protection needs refinement at the next level
- Doesn’t provide much-receiving value
- Narrow running base that could give away tendencies at the next level
High Pressure Situations/Clutch Gene:
Given that Monangai spent his entire collegiate career at Rutgers, he didn’t really have an opportunity to face off in many high-pressure games. In fact, throughout his entire college tenure, he competed in just one Bowl game. That game happened in 2023 when Rutgers faced off against Miami in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl. Rutgers won that game 31-24, and Monangai took 25 carries and turned them 163 yards and a touchdown. He had an excellent performance to help his team win, but we don’t have much else to go on here. Against the second-ranked Michigan team that same year, he had just 11 rushes for 27 scoreless yards in a blowout loss. A few weeks later, against the 12th-ranked Penn State squad, he had 16 carries for 39 scoreless yards. And finally, in a 22-0 loss against 22nd-ranked Iowa, Monangai had 13 rushes for 39 scoreless yards. All of those performances were against ranked opponents, and he didn’t put up much statistically. Don’t worry, though, he did have one other stellar showing. Against the top-ranked Ohio State team in 2023, he had 24 rushes for 159 yards in what turned out to be a 35-16 loss. So, it’s hard to tell if his team just wasn’t helping him out in these games or if Monangai has what it takes in high-pressure situations.
NFL Projection And Fantasy Relevance:
Monangai is projected to be drafted in the sixth or seventh round of the upcoming draft. Unfortunately, this is probably accurate. He is a strong runner but has issues in a couple of main focal points. For starters, despite his muscular frame, he stands at just 5’9, something that many NFL teams will have an issue with. Unlike most other running backs of this frame, Monangai doesn’t bring his value back up with great hands or next-level speed. He’s not the fastest long runner, and he barely had much-receiving value throughout his college career. Both of these factors will give him an uphill battle to find a starting role somewhere in the NFL. When it comes to standard formats, I don’t believe that he’ll provide much value, if any, in 2025. Wherever he goes, he’ll likely need to work his way up the depth chart with dedication and efficiency, making it a long shot if he plays much as a rookie. In dynasty formats, there’s potential for him to carve out playing time. However, compared to other running backs available, you might be better off stashing another player. If you do take a risk with him, remember to have patience; his development is possible, but it just might take time.
Closing Thoughts:
Monangai has an interesting path to the NFL. You rarely see that many running backs stick around with the same college for five straight years, but Monangai has. You also don’t often see a player of his size and stature without strongly honed receiving skills, special teams’ capabilities, or long speed. However, he’s a built, muscular runner who can bounce off tackles and weave through traffic. I still believe that putting all of this together, he’s going to have a difficult time finding playing time in the NFL. Despite that, this doesn’t mean that he won’t be able to have success, it’s just going to be harder than other running backs. I believe that Monangai has a great work ethic, and with that comes the possibility that he can win over coaches on whichever team drafts him. When he does get the opportunity, I don’t believe he’ll waste it.
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