During the 2022 campaign, the Scarlet Knights running back depth was tested due to injuries. Seven games into the season, Samuel Brown V suffered a season-ending lower-body injury. As a result, Kyle Monangai was asked to take on a bigger role, and he stepped up. This fall, the New Jersey native will be looking to build on his success.
In 12 games last year, Monangai recorded a career-high 445 yards and averaged 4.1 yards a carry. He also found the endzone twice and added 31 receiving yards to his resume. After being thrust into the starting role unexpectedly, Monangai gave Rutgers a spark on the ground.
While making 11 starts, the New Jersey native via Don Bosco Prep showed he could handle a heavy workload. Monangai led Rutgers in carries and yards on the ground. He was also named to the Academic All-Big Ten list for the second time in his collegiate career.
Kyle Monangai has runs of 31 and 21 yards on that 9-play, 96-yard TD drive.
He has 84 yards on 8 carries through three drives, more than Rutgers gained as a team in its last two games against Minnesota and Michigan combined (62 yards on 40 carries): pic.twitter.com/OZOrsYmWNa
— Brian Fonseca (@briannnnf) November 12, 2022
When the 2023 season begins, Monangai will be looking to lead Rutgers again in carries. However, he will have competition in Samuel Brown V, who will be healthy and have plenty to prove. It should make for an intriguing battle over the next few months.
Kyle Monangai ran through the defender on the way into the endzone 😳 pic.twitter.com/b2nMAyHmKK
— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) September 4, 2021
Through his first three years as a Scarlet Knight, Monangia has recorded 680 rushing yards on 171 carries. He has steadily improved every season and enters a critical year of his college career. If he can continue building on his success, the Rutgers offense will get a much-needed spark.
The start of the regular season is still months away, but how the workload in the Rutgers backfield is split up will be a storyline to watch with Monangai looking to keep his starting role.
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