Kyle Monangai RB Rutgers | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Kyle Monangai RB Rutgers
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
ROLE: Work-Horse Back | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last Updated: 03/14/2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Draft Year: 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
40 time: 4.60 seconds (37%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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ROLE: Work-Horse Back | |
Last Updated: 03/14/2025 | |
Draft Year: 2025 | |
40 time: 4.60 seconds (37%*) | |
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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Overall Rating: | 82.2 / 100 | |
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Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
Defense Rating: |
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75% |
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
Rushing: |
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83% |
Break Tackles: |
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74% |
Receiving/Hands: |
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60% |
Pass Blocking: |
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61% |
Run Blocking: |
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67% |
DRAFT PROJECTION:
6th
Overall Rank:
#197
Position rank:
#24
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College Games: 47 College Snaps: 1734 | ||
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College Combine Results
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Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
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Max Borghi - Washington State |
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78% |
Sean Tucker - Syracuse |
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71% |
Blake Corum - Michigan |
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70% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Kyle Monangai arrived at Rutgers as an unheralded three-star recruit from Don Bosco Prep in New Jersey, but left as one of the most decorated running backs in program history. The Roseland native's journey from special teams contributor to two-time team captain exemplifies his development into an elite Big Ten rusher. After learning behind future Chiefs contributor Isiah Pacheco, Monangai exploded onto the scene in 2023, becoming the first Scarlet Knight to lead the conference in rushing with 1,262 yards before following up with an even more impressive senior campaign.The two-time All-Big Ten selection etched his name throughout the Rutgers record books, finishing second in program history with 3,221 career rushing yards behind only Ray Rice. His durability and ball security stood out as career hallmarks, setting a program record with 707 touches (669 carries, 38 receptions) without a single fumble. Despite his modest recruiting profile, Monangai developed into a workhorse back who thrived on volume, recording 13 games with at least 20 carries including eight with 25 or more attempts. His pinnacle performance came against Akron in 2024 when he rumbled for 208 yards and three touchdowns, the 10th highest single-game rushing total in Rutgers history.
Monangai's ascension culminated in 2024 when he became the first Rutgers offensive player to earn First Team All-Big Ten honors from both coaches and media while adding Fourth Team All-America recognition from Phil Steele. His back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons (1,262 in 2023, 1,279 in 2024) mark him as just the fourth player in school history to accomplish the feat.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Possesses exceptional contact balance that transforms potential tackle situations into bonus yardage; stacked low to the ground and absorbs hits without losing momentum.
- Changes direction with sudden, unpredictable cuts at sharp angles that catch defenders flat-footed; can stack lateral moves in rapid succession.
- Showcases remarkable discipline with ball security, never fumbling once in 707 career touches – a testament to his fundamentals and grip strength.
- Demonstrates unexpected elusiveness in tight spaces despite compact frame; makes defenders miss with surprising lateral agility and footwork.
- Runs with deceiving patience behind his blockers before exploding through small creases; showed this repeatedly against Ohio State in 2023 (159 yards).
- Maintains tremendous leg drive through contact, consistently falling forward and turning 2-yard gains into 4-yard chunks against stacked boxes.
- Built for volume and durability with dense, muscular frame that withstood heavy workloads; thrived with 25+ carries in multiple Big Ten contests.
- Brings competitive toughness and leadership qualities as evidenced by back-to-back captain selections; plays with visible passion that energizes teammates.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Limited long speed prevents him from turning chunk gains into home runs; lacks the extra gear to outrun defensive backs in the open field.
- Shows inconsistent run-lane discipline that will frustrate NFL offensive line coaches; sometimes abandons designed gaps prematurely.
- Needs refinement as a pass protector despite willingness to engage; technique breaks down against skilled rushers and larger defenders.
- Offers minimal third-down receiving value with just 38 career catches; route tree appears basic with limited evidence of advanced receiving skills.
- Narrow running base and tendency to drag his back foot before cuts telegraphs direction changes to NFL-caliber linebackers.
Scouting Report: Summary
Monangai runs with a fury that defies his compact stature. His ability to create through contact jumps off the screen, showing a natural feel for manipulating defenders in tight quarters. When I watched his performance against Ohio State, he consistently turned potential losses into positive gains by combining his low center of gravity with exceptional short-area quickness. This combination allows him to exploit creases that many backs simply can't access, creating offensive value beyond what's blocked for him.What truly sets Monangai apart is his knack for maximizing every carry with relentless finishing effort. He brings a unique blend of vision and craftiness between the tackles, displaying the necessary patience to let blocks develop before exploding through gaps with decisive cuts. The film shows a runner who understands angles and leverage, consistently falling forward through contact. His shortcomings in pass protection and receiving aren't fatal flaws, but they will limit his immediate three-down potential and likely relegate him to early-down and short-yardage situations initially.
Among a deep running back class, Monangai offers mid-to-late round value as a complementary piece who brings specific skills to an NFL backfield. His incredible ball security record (zero fumbles in 707 touches) will appeal to coaching staffs who prioritize dependability. While his ceiling is capped by average long speed and limited receiving production, his floor remains solid due to his consistency and running instincts. Monangai has the tools to carve out a role in a committee backfield, bringing a physical dimension that wears down defenses and converts in critical situations – the kind of Day 3 selection that often outperforms his draft position when placed in the right system.
Written By:
K.C. Martinez (Big Ten)
Kyle Monangai percentiles vs other Running Backs (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Kyle Monangai (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
172.8
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
19.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.