PISCATAWAY – This time last year, Kyle Monangai was a relatively under-the-radar running back, an important piece of Rutgers football’s offense but not a high-profile name around the rest of the Big Ten.

A lot has changed since then.

Leading the Big Ten in rushing will do that.

Monangai had a dominant 2023 season, finishing with 1,262 rushing yards to lead the conference and become the Scarlet Knights’ first 1,000-yard rusher in 11 years. The Don Bosco Prep product garnered national attention with his tough, physical, bruising running style – a style that strengthened as games wore on and defenses became fatigued.

Now the question is what Monangai can do to build on it.

One thing is certain: Monangai won’t be catching anyone by surprise.

Rutgers football's Kyle Monangai ready for 'new challenge'

“I can’t sneak up on anybody anymore,” Monangai said following Rutgers’ first training camp practice on Monday. “But I welcome it. It’s a new challenge.”

Monangai, who earned All-Big Ten first-team honors by the USA TODAY Sports Network, last season had seven games with at least 100 yards and three with at least 150. He finished with eight touchdowns and averaged 5.2 yards per attempt.

As the campaign wore on, Monangai’s profile kept rising.

“I was watching a game, like a midseason game, and he might’ve been fifth or sixth in the league in rushing and you hear the color commentators talking about him like he’s just another guy,” coach Greg Schiano said. “Then you watch a game four or five weeks later and they’re talking about, ‘Here’s the top rusher in the league.’”

Monangai has always thrived with a patient running style. He also doesn’t hunt big-yardage plays, instead focusing on picking up chunks of yardage at a time and wearing down defenses.

The explosive plays will inevitably follow.

Monangai could’ve left Rutgers following last season and pursued the NFL. But in a major boon for the Scarlet Knights, Monangai chose to return for one more season.

As training camp gets going, Monangai said his preparation doesn’t change. It’s just about building on what he’s already done and finding ways to take it to the next level.

“A big thing I say is I never know things well enough and I’m never an expert on anything,” Monangai said. “That’s everything, really. I never try and say, ‘OK, I’ve got that so I’ll work on this.’ Coach Schiano always says once you think you’ve got something, it’s got you. I’m just always trying to figure out how can I get better at basic footwork, catching, running ability, reads. Whatever it could be.”

Rutgers' running back room boasts depth, talent with Kyle Monangai at the top

Monangai’s durability last season was also crucial to Rutgers’ 7-6 campaign – he started all 13 games.

Learning how to take care of his body through the rigors of an arduous Big Ten season has been something he’s focused on since first joining the program.

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“I just tried to grab from everyone, what can I learn,” Monangai said. “The older guys when I was younger taught me how to do it, because I didn’t know anything coming from high school. Guys like (Isiah Pacheco), Christian Izien, Bo (Melton), those guys, I watched how they took care of their body and what can I take out of their schedule, their routine and add it to my own.”

It should help that Rutgers has a deep talented running back room, starting with Monangai at the top with Sam Brown helping to form a formidable 1-2 punch.

Rutgers also returns Ja’shon Benjamin and in the offseason welcomed in freshmen Gabe Winowich, Edd Guerrier and Antwan Raymond.

“I love the room,” Monangai said. “Especially where we’re at right now. Some young guys but a lot of talent and I’m excited for what’s ahead. I think they can help us win some games. They practice with intensity. They bring it every day.”

Monangai might not take anyone by surprise anymore. Rutgers’ opponents this season will prepare for him, game plan to limit him.

His coach said nothing about his preparation needs to change. It just comes down to continuing to make improvements wherever possible.

“He’s an elite preparer,” Schiano said. “He needs to continue to be an elite preparer. Incrementally can he get that much better, yeah. That’s what we try to do every day. If you chop the moment you’re going to get better. If you start looking at your results that’s when you start to trip.”

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Rutgers football: The new challenge that awaits Kyle Monangai