Breaking down Kyle Monangai and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back room.
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights may have one of the more underrated running back situations in college football. Led by senior Kyle Monangai, Rutgers will look to continue their rushing dominance over their opponents heading into 2024. And the Big Ten’s leading rusher from 2023 headlines the position group this season.
Last season, the Scarlet Knights outrushed their opponents by 31.5 yards per game. Their 517 attempts ranked 30th throughout all conferences. A large part of that came from the emergence of Monangai.
Returning for the Scarlet Knights are Samuel Brown and Ja’Shon Benjamin. Meanwhile, Aaron Jones has transferred out of Rutgers and landed in Old Dominion. The new arrivals to the offense are Edd Guerrier and Gabe Winowich. Further down the depth chart is senior Michael Robinson II (converting from defensive back), junior Donovan Delaney and senior Jordan Kinsler.
Kyle Monangai
Instead of declaring for the 2023 NFL draft, Monangai decided to return for his senior season, citing a need for improvement on various nuances of the position. The Scarlet Knights running back led the Big Ten (17th in the nation) with 1,263 rushing yards last season. It was the first time since 2012 that Rutgers had a 1,000-yard rusher, signaling a drastic change in the program under head coach Greg Schiano.
Monangai has started the last 24 games for Rutgers, and his 327 snaps last season ranked eighth among running backs. It’s clear that he will remain the bell-cow back in the Scarlet Knights offense. We’re unlikely to see Monangai produce in the passing attack, however that’s through no fault of his own. Rutgers offense doesn’t utilize their running backs heavily in the passing attack. Monangai led all Scarlet Knights’ running backs last season with 14 targets and eight receptions for 78 yards.
While that may hurt his eventual draft stock, there’s no doubt how good of a runner Monangai is. He displays remarkable vision with elite reaction time as he enters the gap. Meanwhile, his exceptional center of balance keeps him upright as defenders initiate contact.
Kyle Monangai: One of the most underrated RBs in the countryđź—Ł
— PFF College (@PFF_College) May 15, 2024
Expect another heavy workload for Monangai this season as he looks to surpass his performance last season.
Samuel Brown V
Brown had a mini breakout in 2022 cut short due to an unusual foot injury. Working in a timeshare with Monangai, Brown accrued 374 yards and four touchdowns in seven games. At this time, the injury itself has never been disclosed. With that said, it was clear that Rutgers wanted to slowly reintegrate Brown into the offense last season. He only surpassed 10 rushing attempts once (in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl) and his yards per attempt dropped from 4.3 his freshman year to 3.8.
This season, Scarlett Knights fans should be expecting to see Brown used more. Another year removed from injury can only help, and should allow Brown to play the thunder to Monangai’s lightning. At 6 foot 2 inches and 225 pounds, Brown can be a battering ram for Rutgers. His ability to drain opposing defenses can set up Monangai to gash them for long gains. If Brown is truly healthy, he should see 20-25 percent of the carries for Rutgers this season.
#Rutgers freshman RB Samuel Brown V from La Salle College HS in Philly is taking advantage of rotational carries in the Scarlet Knight offense.
Brown has 20 carries for 97 yards over the last two weeks, with big runs of 20 and 16 yards. Speed is evident w/ball in his hands. pic.twitter.com/b0BfIDHLg1
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) September 22, 2022
Ja’Shon Benjamin
The final returning running back is Benjamin. Listed at 5 foot 9 inches and 195 pounds, Benjamin projects more as a satellite back than a workhorse or bruiser. However, he’s already displayed playmaking potential as a true freshman for Rutgers last season. In nine appearances, Benjamin totaled 45 attempts for 172 yards and a touchdown. He also had four receptions for 54 yards – including a 33-yard touchdown.
Take a look at Ja’Shon Benjamin’s 33-yard touchdown. His first collegiate touchdown is the first of the game. pic.twitter.com/IFhkRxaf6q
— Josh Meyers (@JoshCMeyers) September 10, 2023
Benjamin isn’t expected to receive a heavy workload in 2024, but more likely to be used to spell Monangai in the Rutgers offense. However, an injury or lack of performance from Brown could see Benjamin directly benefit.
Edd Guerrier
Guerrier is a three-star recruit from Port Charlotte, Florida. He’s listed as 5 foot 7 inches and weighs 192 pounds. Guerrier finished as the school’s all-time leading rusher with 447 carries for 3,708 yards and 52 touchdowns. In his final season, he put together 1,166 yards on 115 carries, leading the Port Charlotte Pirates to a 9-3 record and a FHSAA 3S playoff appearance.
DOWN IN FRONT!! Edd Guerrier takes off for a 70 yard TD run on a great effort to give Port Charlotte a 12-7 lead at the end of the first quarter. #sunpreps pic.twitter.com/iRzldMRXLR
— Charles Ballaro (@chuckballaro) September 23, 2023
Given his frame, Guerrier projects more as a scat back than a workhorse despite showing great ability to evade tackles. He could provide an extra dynamic to the Rutgers offense and may be used in situational circumstances. However, his appearances are likely to be spare during the season.
Gabe Winowich
Gabe Winowich is a four-star recruit from Lawrenceville, New Jersey. He’s listed as 6 foot 1 inches and weighs 220 pounds. Originally playing in Michigan, Winowich transferred to Lawrenceville in his senior season and played for Notre Dame. There, he helped them to an undefeated season, eventually succumbing in the playoffs. In his final season he totaled 1,161 yards on 120 carries.
Touchdown number 3 for Rutgers commit Gabe Winowich to put Notre Dame ahead of Paul VI, 28-25, with 8:32 left in the 3rd. He’s got about 122 rushing yards on the night. pic.twitter.com/YKjE9W6wZY
— Greg Johnson (@gregp_j) November 4, 2023
Winowich projects as a potential workhorse type of runner. He’s displayed great speed in high school, even being used on kickoff returns. Meanwhile, he also possesses great strength. Playing with the Scarlett Knights, there’s a chance Winowich can blossom into a workhorse running back. If he proves himself as a true freshman, opportunity is there for the taking in 2025.
