Ahead of Kansas State’s matchup vs. Rutgers in the 2024 Rate Bowl, one key member of the Scarlett Knights is opting out of the game to focus on his NFL Draft stock.
That player is senior running back Kyle Monangai, who is expected to hear his name called in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano provided the update in his pre-game press conference, mentioning that the Scarlett Knights would have to look toward the future of their running back room vs. Kansas State.
Monangai is coming off of back-to-back 1,200-yard seasons at Rutgers, with 1,262 yards as a junior in 2023 and 1,279 yards as a senior this fall. He led the Big Ten in rushing this fall while adding 14 total touchdowns on five yards per carry.
He is not the only major opt-out in the Rate Bowl, as the Wildcats’ star running back, DJ Giddens, will also not be taking the field. Giddens was the Big 12’s fourth-leading rusher, with 205 carries for 1,343 yards and eight total touchdowns.
The two teams will square off on Thursday, December 26th, at 4:30 p.m. central. The Wildcats are currently listed as seven-point favorites on DraftKings. You can catch the full Rate Bowl Preview and Prediction here.
