Scouting Profile: Kyle Monangai - RB - Rutgers
Sales Pitch: Compact runner with good contact balance and physicality. Lacks the juice or pass catching chops to be a full time starter but will fit nicely into a two-back rotation.
*Gold Numbers Indicate NCAA T-25 for 2024*
Scouting Report
Kyle Monangai is a former 3-Star recruit from the state of New Jersey. A two-time team captain for the Scarlet Knights, he started 35 games in his 5 year career at Rutgers. Monangai was extremely productive the past two years, with over 2,500 rushing yards and All-Big 10 honors in both seasons.
Monangai is a compact runner with a muscular frame and excellent contact balance. He is a physical downhill runner with the body type to take the bulk of a team’s carry load. Monangai was primarily a zone runner in college, where his decisive vertical running style shines. He is a patient runner willing to let plays develop horizontally before attacking the hole. Monangai has quick feet with the burst to change his rush path and access step cutback angles. He displays a stellar side-step move to evade tacklers in the hole and prevent them from squaring him up. His short frame is difficult to wrap up from the side and easily runs through arm tackle attempts. Monangai leverages his naturally low pad level with good leg drive to deliver blows and finish runs falling forward. He has the balance and strength to take on contact and spin out of tackles and maintain his forward momentum.
Monangai is a smaller back with a below average athletic profile. He is a quicker than fast player with short legs that limit his long speed. He fails to create separation from defenses at the 2nd level or to the edge, which limits his big play ability. Monangai’s downhill running style is effective but it leaves yards on the field. He can be too quick to put his head down and hit the hole and fails to anticipate secondary rushing lanes opening up for bigger gains. He also doesn’t project well as a third down back. Monangai lacks the length or size to stand up to rushers in pass protection and sustain blocks. He was mostly used as a checkdown option out of the backfield because he lacks the juice to be a difference maker in the passing game.
Monangai profiles best as a rotational runner who soaks up early down carries in a two-man backfield. His downhill rushing style and contact balance is the perfect compliment to a speedy playmaking back. Monangai doesn’t project to go very high with his profile, but should be an early Day-3 pick for a team looking for a cheap rookie contract innings eater.