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

PISCATAWAY – Rutgers football knows and understands the challenge in replacing Kyle Monangai, who went from an underrecruited prospect out of Don Bosco Prep to one of the most prolific rushers in program history.

Now Monangai is in training camp with the Chicago Bears, and by all accounts making a strong impression as a seventh-round draft pick.

The Scarlet Knights need to replace his production.

But fortunately for them, running back continues to be one of the team’s strongest position groups.

“I think we have a really good running back room,” coach Greg 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.”

That battle is one to watch throughout training camp as Rutgers prepares for its season opener against Ohio on Aug. 28.

Rutgers football's running back battle

Rutgers returned a talented group, headlined 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.

The Scarlet Knights also have Edd Guerrier and Sam Brown is returning from injury – both figure to be factors this season, especially given the production Brown has already shown when healthy.

But Rutgers during the offseason made a splash by bringing in Florida Atlantic transfer CJ Campbell Jr., a dynamic, veteran running back who’s an adept pass catcher.

Last season Campbell rushed for 844 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also caught 40 passes for 466 yards and one TD.

The 5-foot-10, 210-pound Campbell, who played three seasons at Florida State before transferring to FAU, has brought a veteran presence to the room.

“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.”

Still, Campbell’s in a battle for carries.

Schiano said after the first practice of training camp that all the running backs will get equal chances to prove themselves.

“We’re all battling,” Campbell said. “We’re all competing. It just forces the next guy to come out there and do his thing. One guy makes a play, the next guy up he’s going to be trying his best to make another play and show no matter what happens there’s no drop off. Having that competition’s great because it makes everybody in the room better.”

Antwan Raymond primed for big sophomore season

Raymond’s embracing the battle as he heads into Year 2.

“I’m a competitor,” Raymond said. “I’ve been competing my whole life, always going through obstacles. I just take it day by day. I worry about what I’ve got going on next, not too much about what other people have going on.”

This training camp is far different from last year for Raymond after he reclassified and joined the program early, skipping his senior year of high school.

The experience he gained in 2024 was invaluable.

Raymond after a recent practice said reclassifying was one of the “best decisions I decided to make.”

The 5-foot-11, 205-pound Raymond is more comfortable this time around.

“Totally different,” Raymond said. “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.”

There’s still a few weeks to go until Rutgers’ season opener, enough time for someone to earn the opportunity to start.

But it’s a strong position group. There won’t be much drop off from one back to the next.

The Scarlet Knights might have to replace a player 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.”

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Rutgers football: CJ Campbell Jr., Antwan Raymond, Ja’shon Benjamin vie at RB