For Kyle Monangai, his return for the 2024 season is about the unfinished business he needs to take care of at Rutgers. But Monangai isn’t chasing a place in the record books among the all-time greats at Rutgers or even a better slot in the NFL draft.
Instead, Monangai is hoping to return to help Rutgers football take another step in their rebuild and continue the progress they’ve shown this year.
Monangai is the face of the 10 players who are returning to Rutgers for a final season of college football. Had he declared for the NFL draft, he had the potential to go in the opening three rounds. It is safe to say that his draft stock was projected to be the highest of anyone who did return to Rutgers.
There is no doubt that Monangai left some NFL money on the table for opting to return.
But his return, especially as the Big Ten’s leading rusher, is an obviously huge benefit for the program’s continued rebuilding efforts. Monangai is not just a highly productive player, but he is a player with laudable character, known for his unquestioned work ethic and tenacity in the weight room.
His decision for a last dance, along with the nine other players who are coming back, is poignant because the purpose isn’t just to better themselves for the NFL draft. It is about finishing a mission at Rutgers.
“Made some strides this year in getting six wins, but it’s obviously not the end goal for us,” Monangai said on Monday during a press conference for the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl.
“We think coming back for another year is going to give us another opportunity to make even more progress next year and see how many wins can get, closer to that end goal.”
He finished his junior year with 1,099 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. In his first season as a starter, he made quite a jump in production this fall.
His rushing total from his first two seasons of college football? Combined, Monangai rushed for 680 yards.
His production in 2023 was nearly double…
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