Thanks to the COVID pandemic, Ruben Hyppolite spent five seasons playing college football for Maryland. At that time, he had to play against many good players in multiple positions. None stood out more than running backs. A long list of impressive names has crossed the linebacker's path in that time. Among them include Kenneth Walker, TreVeyon Henderson, Braelon Allen, and Kaleb Johnson. Two of those names have already become productive NFL players. The other two were drafted in the first three rounds last month.
One would think Hyppolite would list one of them as the best running back he ever played against in college. However, that assumption would be wrong. In a conversation with CHGO Bears, he revealed that the player who left the biggest impression on him was none other than his newest teammate: Kyle Monangai.
The two crossed paths three times between 2022 and 2024. In the first meeting, Monangai collected 45 yards on 10 carries. It came at the end of a 37-0 loss to Hyppolite's Terps. A year later, he racked up 118 yards rushing and 31 receiving in a 42-24 loss. Finally, last season, Monangai had 97 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-17 upset win.
Ruben Hyppolite has fed further into the Monangai mystique.
Buzz has been building for over a week that the Chicago Bears may have gotten a steal with the Rutgers running back in the 7th round. For Ruben Hyppolite to say he's the best running back the linebacker went against in what is always a loaded Big Ten conference says a ton. Athleticism? Speed? Quickness? None of that left an impression. It is about the guy who was a relentless grinder. No matter how many times Monangai went down, he'd get back up and come at the defense again on the next play. It is exhausting to play against somebody like that. Hyppolite would know. No doubt, he's thrilled he won't have to go against his old rival anywhere but in practice moving forward.
