Rutgers running back Kyle Monangai is an early favorite for the 2025 NFL Draft by several prominent analysts

Rutgers football had been in a rough place. Before Greg Schiano returned prior to the 2020 season, the Scarlet Knights hadn’t had a winning season since 2014. The final two years before the return, the team finished with a 3-21 overall record, putting them in the cellar of the Big Ten conference.

After a couple of tough seasons to kick start the Schiano era, the team finally showed great signs in 2023, finishing with a 7-6 winning record and a 31-24 bowl game victory over Miami. A big catalyst for that winning season was running back Kyle Monangai, who seemed to play his best in the biggest games on the schedule. On the season, he rushed for 1,262 yards and eight touchdowns.

Monangai chose to return to the Scarlet Knights in 2023, giving them their bellcow to lean on. The national spotlight is now on the talented runner, as are NFL Draft scouts and evaluators. On The First Team NFL Draft and College Football Podcast , NBC Sports NFL Draft analyst Connor Rogers joined to talk about some prominent 2025 NFL Draft prospects , including Monangai.

Here’s what Rodgers had to say about the Rutgers star:

I think Kyle Monangai is (expletive) phenomenal. I mean it in a way, if you love this game and this sport, you love every bit of the way this guy is built and how he plays. I understand the 5.2 yards per carry doesn’t jump for the screen like some of these guys do but 73 missed tackles forced, 34 explosive runs. He’s a human pinball. He clearly lives in the weight room, the body type, it is true weight room strength. It’s grown man NFL strength. I think he has sharp quick cuts. What I love about Monangai, and this is something that most college players have to grow into, he knows not to exaggerate cuts and he doesn’t lose speed.

I get it, he’s probably not going to run a 4.3 but it’s different when you know how to maintain speed, while still making guys miss. Not all missed tackles forced are created the same. You can make a guy miss but you’re tackled right away. If you can make a guy miss and turn it into more yards, I think Monongai is really good at that. He’s the king of oh that’s a nothing play, okay I have four yards. That changes drives, keeps them alive. When you watch this dude in pass protection, forget it, I mean knockout blows. I love the DNA.

He’s the fifth ranked running back for me, but he doesn’t have the physical ability that a Judkins has, that a Omarion Hampton has, as an Ollie Gordon has. I think he can play in the NFL right now with the skills he has.

Related: Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders might be the most heavily debated prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft class

Roberts’ Take

Every year there are players in the NFL Draft space that we gravitate towards. That is, and will be, Monangai for a lot of people. After being a solid contributor his first couple of years, the 5-9, 210-pound runner took his game to a completely different level in 2023 and now has the NFL’s attention. Monangai, at worst, should be a valuable role player on the next level. He consistently runs behind his pads, including a low center of gravity and tenacious style. Throw in his pass blocking prowess and you have a nice performer in a committee approach. While Monangai isn’t flashy, he makes up for by doing all the little things well.