When you think about 7th round picks, you're predisposed to believe a player is nothing more than a great athlete with minimal college production or a sturdy player who might be helpful on special teams. You rarely secure a highly productive player from a top conference. Yet the Chicago Bears managed that when they selected Kyle Monangai out of Rutgers. Here was a running back who put up over 1200 rushing yards in each of the past two seasons while playing against the Big Ten. One would've thought that might gain him a little more respect.
Unfortunately, most fans didn't know who he was. All they saw was a consolation prize to compensate for the Bears' failure to land a running back earlier in the draft. Other people knew better, including some of Monangai's own draft mates. Sixth round pick Luke Newman came from Michigan State. He transferred there in 2024, so he was unfamiliar with Monangai at that point. He received a rude awakening when the Spartans hosted the Scarlet Knights on November 30th. The rookie guard described the impression it left during his recent presser.
Kyle Monangai loves torturing Michigan State.
Newman should count himself lucky he only saw one game against the running back. Kyle Monangai had a habit of demolishing the Spartans every year. He had 162 yards in 2022, 148 yards and a touchdown in 2023, and 129 yards and a touchdown last year. Michigan State never found an answer for him. That had to have been a helpless feeling. It's not like his excellence was limited to bottom-feeders, too. Monangai had 159 yards against Ohio State, 163 yards against Miami, and 132 against Washington. All of that was accomplished despite no high-profile teammates blocking for him and the full knowledge from every opponent that he was getting the ball. Newman knew right away the running back was legit. He must be grateful he won't have to play against Monangai anymore.
