BREAKING: PFF Has Declared Rutgers’ key Star As Top RB Returning In 2024.
The 2025 NFL Draft class promises to be rich in running back talent. Despite losing five star players last year, the Big 10 still boasts a wealth of talent. Among them, Rutgers’ standout running back, Kyle Monangai, is distinguished as PFF’s highest-rated returning player.
Highest Graded Returning Big Ten Running Backs💨 pic.twitter.com/jhd3GTRZ0M
— PFF College (@PFF_College) May 18, 2024
Rutgers Star Monangai Rated as Top Running Back by PFF
New Jersey Flair
Over the past three seasons, Monangai has been a key player in the Scarlet Knights’ offense. As a true freshman in 2020, he didn’t record any rushing stats and only appeared in five games on special teams. However, in 2021, he began to make an impact, playing in 11 games and rushing 62 times for 235 yards and four touchdowns. He started his first season in the rotation with a two-touchdown performance in the win over Temple, and added his third career touchdown in the subsequent victory over Syracuse.
In the following season, Monangai had his first 100+ carry season. He played in all 12 games, starting 11, and recorded 445 yards and two touchdowns on 109 carries. His first career 100-yard game came in a loss to Michigan State, where he rushed for 168 yards on 24 carries.
Monangai’s high rating is largely due to his breakout season in 2023, during which he rushed 242 times for 1,262 yards and eight touchdowns. Heading into 2024, he boasts eight career 100-yard games, seven of which occurred last year.
Big Bucky Shoes to Fill
Oregon is a leading contender to win the Big 10 in 2024. Alongside their top quarterback and receivers, the Ducks have Jordan James poised to become their primary running back after backing up Bucky Irving in 2023.
As a true freshman, James played in 10 games, primarily as a short-yardage back, rushing for 189 yards and five touchdowns on 46 carries. In 2023, still behind Irving, James took on a larger role, rushing 107 times for 759 yards and 11 touchdowns across all 14 games. His 7.1 yards per carry were the best in the Pac-12 and 10th in the nation, and his 11 touchdowns tied with Irving for the most on the team. James scored in nine of the team’s 14 games.
If James maintains his 7.1 yards per carry and matches Irving’s rushing frequency, he’s projected to accumulate 1,320 yards in the 2024 season. If he scores at the same rate as 2023 (approximately once every 10 carries), he could end up with 19 touchdowns.
Achieving 1,320 yards and 19 touchdowns in a single season would place James 10th and third all-time in Oregon history, respectively.
A Pair of Buckeyes
Ohio State is the only team with multiple running backs on the list, featuring the dynamic duo of TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins. This pair could be the best backfield the Buckeyes have had in a long time.
Henderson made a splash with a game-breaking touchdown in his debut against Minnesota and has been the top option for the Buckeyes in both rushing and receiving when healthy. Over three years, he has amassed 2,745 yards and 32 touchdowns on the ground, along with 569 yards and five touchdowns on 50 receptions out of the backfield.
Judkins, joining from Ole Miss, has been one of the top running backs in the SEC over the past two years. He rushed for 2,731 yards and 31 touchdowns with the Rebels, earning SEC Freshman of the Year in 2022 and First-Team All-SEC honors in both seasons.
With Chip Kelly now calling plays, the Buckeyes are expected to revitalize their rushing attack, which has been lacking recently.
Notable Exclusion
A notable omission is Donovan Edwards, the EA Sports College Football 25 cover athlete from Michigan. Despite playing second fiddle to Blake Corum for three seasons, Edwards has made a significant impact. Although he had a down year in 2023, he is still considered one of the top backs in the Big 10. His standout performance came in 2022 when he rushed for 216 yards and two touchdowns against Ohio State.
It’s challenging to shine when the lead running back amasses 1,245 yards and 27 touchdowns on a Big 10-leading 258 carries. However, 2024 is poised to be Edwards’ breakout year in a Michigan offense that will look significantly different from last season.