Tag: Aaron Lewis

Exclusive interview with Kyle Monangai on returning to Rutgers football: ‘Seven wins was never our goal…we have bigger aspirations and dreams’

Rutgers football running back Kyle Monangai discusses his Rutgers football future.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. –Kyle Monangai acknowledges that the best thing for his NFL future was for him to return for one more year of college football, The driving force for Monangai and many of his teammates to return for a last dance with Rutgers football isn’t as much about bettering their position to play on Sundays.

After all, the Big Ten’s leading rusher last season was a sure-fire NFL draft pick. Instead, there was a deeper motivation and drive that came into play for Monangai to return to Rutgers.

What spurred this decision for Monangai, is the feeling that Rutgers football hasn’t yet taken the big step their star running back believes they can. This, despite the obvious perception that 2023 was a stepping-stone season for Rutgers.

Last year, by nearly every measurement, was a huge step forward for Rutgers. Validating head coach Greg Schiano’s vision for the program, Rutgers finished the season 7-6 and capped off the year with a Pinstripe Bowl win over Miami.

For Rutgers, without a winning season or a bowl appearance since 2014, checking off both accomplishments was significant.

The Pinstripe Bowl in particular was the signature win that Rutgers has been looking for in what is now the fourth season of Schiano’s return to the banks of the Raritan. And for Monangai, who ran for 163 yards and a touchdown on his way to becoming the Pinstripe Bowl MVP, it is certainly all good.

But there is still much more to be done, he says.

“I wanted to come do another year with my guys and I thought it was probably best for me personally to come back and do that,” Monangai told Rutgers Wire on Saturday.

“But then also for the team, it’s like why miss out on an opportunity to be able to do something special? And I think this coming season, we’re going to be able to take it even a step further than we were able to this year.

“But I think you ask anybody in the building and that seven wins was never our goal. And, you know, we have bigger aspirations and dreams for ourselves. So to get there, we just had to work harder and keep doing what we’re doing because we’re obviously working in the right direction.”

The return of Monangai, along with many key players from last year’s team including defensive end [autotag]Aaron Lewis[/autotag] and linebacker [autotag]Mo Toure[/autotag] among others, signals that there is a sense within the team that Rutgers can take a significant step forward in 2024. The schedule is challenging, but not nearly as difficult as last season when the Scarlet Knights had the second-toughest schedule in college football.

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As for Monangai, he is slowly and steadily rising up the program’s rushing charts and records. The leading rusher in the Big Ten last season, he has the chance to write his name near the top of the program’s rushing records.

He has 1,942 career rushing yards, putting him just outside the program’s top 10 all-time rushers.

For now.

Another season like in 2023 (where Monangai had 1,242 yards) would see him supplant Terrell Willis for second all-time in Rutgers history.

Ray Rice at 4,926 yards seems well out of reach.

Legacy is certainly important for Monangai, but a push into the record books isn’t the reason for a return in 2024.

“I think it comes with it. I don’t think it was something that weighed into my decision. I’m blessed even to be in the same conversation with some of the guys that I’ve been in the same conversation (with) the Ray Rices and Brian Leonards…I’m grateful for it,” Monangai said.

“I think for all of us, especially my class, the 2020 class, we’ve seen so much being in our fifth year now being at Rutgers, that we just want to lead this program with the right way and just be able to say that we were the ones that kind of turned this thing around.”

Monangai spoke on Saturday afternoon following a signing at the Morris County Card Show (Parsippany, New Jersey) at the Police Athletic League building. It was Monangai’s first exclusive autograph signing using Name, Image and Likeness (NIL).

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“This is my first autograph signing on my own for sure and it’s been a fun experience,” Monangai said.

“It’s my first time doing something like this. Being able to interact with the fans that came out wanting to see me and supporting me. It’s been an awesome experience.”

Aaron Lewis and Kyle Monangai lead a strong returning core for Rutgers football: ‘This is not an easy place to play’

Rutgers football’s senior relish to chance to return in 2024.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — So far this offseason, Rutgers football has had a nearly clean sweep of players deciding to return for the 2024 season. It is a testament, those players say, to the culture of the program at Rutgers.

Only defensive back Max Melton opted to start the process for the NFL draft. Outside of Melton’s decision, the overwhelming majority of the team’s senior core has opted to return.

This includes defensive linemen [autotag]Aaron Lewis[/autotag] and [autotag]Wes Bailey[/autotag], linebackers [autotag]Mo Toure[/autotag] and [autotag]Tyreem Powell[/autotag], running back [autotag]Kyle Monangai [/autotag]and offensive lineman [autotag]Hollin Pierce[/autotag].

For Monangai, the decision to return was one he weighed carefully. The Big Ten’s leading rusher, Monangai would have been a solid draft pick.

But he said there was “unfinished business” that remained for him at Rutgers. That desire to leave something behind at Rutgers, he believes, is the reason why so many players are returning for a last dance.

“I think it just speaks to our culture and this is not an easy place to play,” Monangai said after practice on Tuesday.

“Coach Schiano demands a lot of us but it’s rightfully – we know what we have to do to win here. And for that many guys, like I said, to want to come back – it obviously means we’re doing something right and that guys want to be here. It’s not like a burden or something. It’s a privilege to be able to wear the ‘Block R’ and to be able to represent our home state.”

It is a unique situation for Rutgers as the program – as of yet – hasn’t had any major losses in the transfer portal either. The program has seemingly done not only a good job of developing players but also building an understanding of patience.

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In the modern college game, players have a tendency to enter the portal very quickly if a pathway to playing time isn’t clear. At Rutgers, for the time being, that doesn’t appear to be the case.

Lewis, who had a solid season for Rutgers, could have started his NFL draft preparation and been a likely draft pick. Instead, he saw a return for one more year as the best path to take.

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“I think, you know, everybody just made a decision and God steered everybody in the direction in the right direction for them,” defensive end Aaron Lewis said last week.

“You know, there wasn’t really specific talks about everybody coming back. We obviously were friends, we talked to each other but no specific conversations. I think everybody just did what they had to do.”

Kyle Monangai says he is returning to Rutgers for ‘Unfinished business…to leave this program with something meaningful’

Rutgers football running back Kyle Monangai talks his return to the Big Ten program.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — There will be a last dance for Kyle Monangai with Rutgers football. One more season in the Big Ten, Monangai said, with the chance to leave something of significance with this program.

Monangai announced on Monday that he is returning in 2024 for a final season at Rutgers. This past season was a breakout for Monangai as the Rutgers running back led the Big Ten in rushing yards (1,099).

Monangai said his return was made based upon weighing the option to go to the NFL as well as his desire to help the Rutgers rebuild take its next step as a program.

There hasn’t been a bigger voice this season about the direction of Rutgers under head coach Greg Schiano than Monangai.

“I just think you know, 6-6 with an opportunity to go 7-6 (and)have winning record hasn’t been done a while but that isn’t our end goal,” Monangai said following practice on Tuesday.

“Our goal wasn’t to be just seven and six you just wanted to win more games. So like unfinished business…just to go out with a bang in all of our last year eligibility, the guys in my class and to leave this program with something meaningful.”

The return of Monangai can not be understated for Rutgers football, both in the immediate in terms of their upcoming bowl game but also next year. Looking ahead to 2024, it is a huge boost for Rutgers that they are returning much of their core.

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Already, defensive linemen [autotag]Aaron Lewis[/autotag] and [autotag]Wesley Bailey[/autotag] as well as offensive lineman Hollin Pierce are notable returnees. Now with Monangai returning, Rutgers is returning nearly all of their star players who paced the team this past season.

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For Monangai, his return to Rutgers was weighed against a potential move to the NFL. As the Big Ten’s leading rusher, he likely would have been drafted.

“I was contemplating it for a while I actually didn’t come to a real, true final decision probably until this past weekend,” Monangai said.

“So you know, everything’s kind of been up in the air up until then. I’ve been trying to gain all the facts and you know, make the best possible choice.”

Scroll down and check out some of the best photos of Kyle Monangai from this year as the Rutgers running back ran his way to the Big Ten rushing title!

Why did Aaron Lewis return to Rutgers football? For one more chance to play with coach Marquise Watson

Aaron Lewis discusses the role Marquise Watson had in his return to Rutgers football.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — One more year to play for his big brother. That’s what Rutgers football defensive end Aaron Lewis wanted when he decided that he will return next season for a final season of Big Ten football.

The older brother spoken of by Lewis does not have any blood ties to the All-Big Ten defensive end. Instead, it is a deep connection and line of trust that Lewis has formed with Rutgers defensive line coach Marquise Warson over the past two years.

And with Watson having been sidelined this past year due to health reasons, Lewis said he has felt the impact of being without a positional coach he not only respects but also loves.

Watson, who hasn’t coached at all this regular season, is very much a brotherly influence in Lewis’ life.

“Coach Watson’s like my brother – the brother I never really had. I gained a really really close relationship with him. He had a really close relationship with my mom before she passed,” Lewis said on Wednesday after practice.

“Obviously what happened was unfortunate and every day, we pray for his health and stuff like that.

“For me, myself, personally. I feel like that I depended a lot on coach Watson, you know? He gave corrections and stuff on the sideline; the way we worked and how we meshed as coach and the player was something different. So when that wasn’t there, I feel like I kind of was a little lost in a way.”

Lewis is coming off a solid season at Rutgers (46 total tackles, three sacks and two passes defended).

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But it wasn’t the huge step forward developmentally that he had hoped for, especially to further his NFL draft ambitions. Coming back another year, he said, will be very helpful in that regard.

“I feel like, weight-wise wise (and) obviously strength-wise, you know, I can get the final touches that I would like to do with my with my body and my strength,” Lewis said.

“But this last year, and you know, I just feel like you see some people on our team coming back, you know, having a chance to go one more time with the with brothers and the people you came in with – kind of drives you a little bit having that end success.”

Aaron Lewis to return to Rutgers for fifth season

Rutgers football defensive end Aaron Lewis is set to return for a fifth season.

The Scarlet Knights let out a sigh of relief on Monday when Aaron Lewis told ESPN that he will be returning to Rutgers next season. The 2024 campaign will mark his fifth season as a Scarlet Knight.

Over the last four years, Lewis has become a reliable piece on defense. During the 2023 campaign, Lewis appeared in a career-high 12 games and added 48 total tackles to his resume. It marked the second time in his college career that he recorded more than 40 tackles.

Additionally, Lewis has made life difficult for opposing quarterbacks. He recorded three sacks, which is a new career high. Due to his play, he was hard to keep out of the lineup.

 

With Lewis back in the mix, Rutgers defense next year has already gotten a boost. In 2022, the Williamstown High School product was third-team all-Big Ten and received an honorable mention last year.

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As Lewis took his game to another level, Rutgers defense continued to build on its success from the 2022 campaign. They have been a turnover machine and applied pressure on a consistent basis. That should continue next year with Lewis in the lineup.

While the 2024 roster is far from set, there is at least one player head coach Greg Schiano won’t have to worry about replacing.

What Rutgers football players made the Big Ten’s defense and special teams?

Rutgers football had eight players selected to the all-Big Ten teams.

A total of eight Rutgers football players were named to the All-Big Ten teams for defense and special teams. The announcement, made by the Big Ten, includes both the coach and media selections.

It is a sign of significant progress that eight players were selected to the all-Big Ten teams on defense and special teams. Last year, three players made the list (one on defense, two on special teams).

This year, seven Rutgers players made the all-Big Ten list and one made special teams.

Rutgers is 6-6 (3-5 Big Ten) and has a chance to finish with a winning record for the first time since 2014.

Scroll down and check out what eight Rutgers players made the all-Big Ten teams for defense and special teams!

Watch: Aaron Lewis , Max Melton create a red zone turnover for Rutgers football at Wisconsin

Rutgers football forced a red zone turnover at Wisconsin.

Rutgers football got a big redzone turnover, with defensive end Aaron Lewis and cornerback Max Melton combining to create a big turnover for the Scarlet Knights in their game at Wisconsin.

With Rutgers down 3-0  early in the second quarter, Lewis and Melton stripped Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen. Melton recovered the ball on the Rutgers 6-yard line.

The play was a big moment for Rutgers, stopping a Wisconsin drive that seemed destined for at a minimum point if not a touchdown. It was an important defensive stand for Rutgers to keep things close.

At halftime, Rutgers was down 17-0 at Wisconsin.

Here is the fumble play from Allen and Melton:

 

Rutgers football: What NFL scouts are at SHI Stadium for the game against Wagner?

Three NFL teams are in attendance on Saturday for the game.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. —  Three NFL teams are in attendance on Saturday for Rutgers football’s game against Wagner.

This marks the last non-conference game for Rutgers football this season. The Scarlet Knights are 3-1 (1-1 Big Ten). They lost last weekend at No. 2 Michigan.

Rutgers has several players who can and should get legitimate NFL buzz. The notable names on defense are edge [autotag]Aaron Lewis[/autotag] and defensive back [autotag]Max Melton[/autotag].

On offense, left tackle [autotag]Hollin Pierce[/autotag] and wide receiver [autotag]JaQuae Jackson[/autotag] have the potential to be playing in the NFL.

The three NFL teams in attendance for the Rutgers game at SHI Stadium:

  • Atlanta Falcons
  • San Francisco 49ers
  • Washington Commanders

The 49ers are represented by Tariq Ahmad, their director of college scouting. He joined the 49ers in 2014; prior to that time, he was with Rutgers football for seven years.

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He spent his last four years at Rutgers as the director of football recruiting operations.

What NFL teams had scouts at Rutgers football’s game against Michigan?

A dozen NFL teams had scouts or representatives for Saturday’s game between Rutgers and Michigan.

A dozen NFL teams were in the press box on Saturday afternoon for Rutgers football at Michigan. They saw Rutgers start strong and hang tough in a 31-7 loss.

The main draw for the NFL teams was obviously No. 2 Michigan, with a roster that features several players who are being projected as Day 1 or early Day 2 selections in the 2024 NFL draft. But Rutgers also has a few players that should draw some attention and be likely draft picks.

Defensive end [autotag]Aaron Lewis[/autotag], a transfer from Michigan, is one Rutgers player who is likely to get drafted. So are the likes of defensive back [autotag]Max Melton[/autotag], linebacker [autotag]Deion Jennings[/autotag] and [autotag]Tyreem Powell[/autotag] as well as several players on offense.

Here are the 12 NFL teams that were in attendance on Saturday for Rutgers at Michigan:

  • Atlanta Falcons
  • Buffalo Bills
  • Cincinnati Bengals
  • Denver Broncos
  • Detroit Lions (Mike Martin, director of scouting advancement and John Dorsey, senior personnel executive)
  • Indianapolis Colts
  • Jacksonville Jaguars
  • Los Angeles Chargers (JoJo Wooden, director of player personnel)
  • New England Patriots
  • Philadelphia Eagles
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  • Tennessee Titans

 

What NFL teams are at the Rutgers football game against Norhwestern?

Four NFL teams are in attendance for Sunday’s Big Ten opener for Rutgers football and Norhwestern.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Rutgers football kicks off the 2023 season on Sunday at SHI Stadium when they host Northwestern. Four NFL teams have sent representation to be at the game.

Scouts from the Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars and Washington Commanders are all in attendance for what is the Big Ten opener for both teams.

Notably, Terry Bradway, the former New York Jets general manager who is now working for the Carolina Panthers, is present at the game.

Rutgers have several players with NFL draft potential. Defensive end [autotag]Aaron Lewis[/autotag], who made a splash at Big Ten Media Days, leads a group on defense that is athletic and talented. Lewis is looking to build on a strong 2022 season and cement himself as a top 100 selection in next spring’s draft.

Also very much in the mix on the defensive side of the ball to make the NFL are defensive back [autotag]Max Melton[/autotag] and linebackers [autotag]Tyreem Powell [/autotag]and [autotag]Mo Toure.[/autotag]

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On offense, left tackle [autotag]Hollin Pierce[/autotag] as well as wide receivers [autotag]Naseim Brantley [/autotag]as well as [autotag]JaQuae Jackson[/autotag] should all register strong NFL interest.