Here's who Rutgers football will turn to as it replaces prolific RB Kyle Monangai

Scarlet Knights Face Heated Running Back Battle

PISCATAWAY – Replacing a star like Kyle Monangai won't be easy for Rutgers football. Monangai, who rose from an underrecruited prospect to one of the program's most prolific rushers, is now making waves in training camp with the Chicago Bears after being drafted in the seventh round.

But while the Scarlet Knights look to fill the void left by Monangai, coach Greg Schiano sees a bright spot: running back continues to be a powerhouse position for Rutgers.

“I think we have a really good running back room,” Schiano said. “So it’s really going to be a matter of who wins the competition. It’s not always decided by the opening game.”

A Deep Running Back Pool
Rutgers returns a talented group, led by Antwan Raymond and Ja’shon Benjamin, both of whom impressed last season – Raymond as a true freshman. Raymond finished with 457 rushing yards on 100 carries with eight touchdowns, while Benjamin had 19 carries for 100 yards with one score.

Edd Guerrier and Sam Brown are also returning, the latter looking to build on his previous success when healthy. The Scarlet Knights further bolstered their backfield by adding Florida Atlantic transfer CJ Campbell Jr., a dynamic veteran who's adept at catching passes as well. Last season, Campbell rushed for 844 yards and 11 touchdowns while also hauling in 40 catches for 466 yards and one TD. The 5-foot-10, 210-pound Campbell brings valuable experience to the team after playing three seasons at Florida State before transferring to FAU.

“I’ve played a lot of football,” Campbell said. “Just knowing how to be a professional, going about things the right way and not get emotional about certain things whenever you get coached a certain way. Just leaning on the younger guys and talking to the younger guys about how to go about certain things.”

Campbell's arrival has injected even more competition into the running back room. Despite his experience, Campbell is still battling for carries alongside Raymond, Benjamin, Guerrier, and Brown. Schiano emphasized that all the running backs will get equal opportunities to prove themselves during training camp.

Antwan Raymond Embraces the Challenge
Raymond is entering his second year with Rutgers after a unique path of reclassifying and joining the program early, skipping his senior year of high school. The experience gained in 2024 was invaluable for Raymond, who described reclassifying as “one of the best decisions I decided to make.”

“Totally different,” Raymond said about this training camp compared to last year. “I’ve grown a lot, I’ve matured a lot. I know the system more. I think I’m getting a lot better. It’s definitely night and day different. Just the way I prepare, I’m more adapted to the schedule, I’m more adapted to the scheme and the system. I think it’s definitely different.”

A Team Effort
With weeks remaining until Rutgers' season opener against Ohio on August 28th, the competition for the starting running back position remains fierce. But one thing is clear: this deep and talented group of running backs will ensure there's no drop-off in production from one player to the next. The Scarlet Knights may have to replace a star like Monangai, but they have the weapons to do it.

“I don’t look at myself as better than them, they don’t look at themselves as better than me,” Campbell said. “We’re all human beings, we’re all here to play ball and we all love each other,” Campbell said. “We all lean on each other and talk to each other.”