By JOHN GOLDFARB
MAHWAH, N.J. – When it comes to football, everyone loves the game whether it is in season or the off season.
But when it comes to playing football, there is no one more passionate about the game off football than Kevin Monangai.
Monangai is a former Seton Hall Preparatory turned Villanova University Running back with a dream to play in the National Football League.
According to the Villanova Athletic website, Monangai was born on March 4, 1993 in Roseland, NJ. He attended Seton Hall Prepatory for high school and committed to play football at Villanova for his college years.
Monangai stated in an email what he loves about football as well as how the game is his inspiration.
“The love of the game inspired me to begin playing.” He said. “I started playing by chance, and couldn’t stop once I started.”
Those who have been around Monangai know what his passion for the game of football is like on and off the field as well as have the chance to be friends with the man outside of football.
Former Seton Hall Preparatory student, Mike Condon, describes what Monangai was like on and off the football field in an email.
“Kevin was a clear leader on and off the field,” Condon said. “Freshman, sophomore, junior or senior, it didn’t matter to Kevin. Everyone was part of making Seton Hall Prep a champion, and as long as you were all in and working hard; Kevin would support you and help you out.”
“His work ethic was unmatched,” he added. “Even in school, he could be approached by anyone to talk to about football, school or life in general. He was a special one of a kind person who will have a huge impact and be successful in whatever he tries to do in life.”
Other people who have known Monangai as a teammate and as an opponent on the football field such as former Livingston High School student Harry Callaghan who is currently attending Ramapo talks about how incredible he keeps his work ethic.
“I went to Seton Hall with him my Freshman year and played Freshman football with him,” Callaghan said. “From then on, he’s been the best player I’ve played with, and I’m sure if you follow him on social media it goes without saying he has an incredible work ethic. He’s in the gym 24 seven constantly trying to better himself.”
As for Monangai’s work ethic, Villanova’s website lists all of Monangai’s statistics throughout his four years when he was apart of the Wildcats football team.
Monangai has scored 29 rushing touchdowns along with five receiving touchdowns during his time with the Wildcats.
From his time at Seton Hall Prepatory high school, Monangai talked about his favorite memory from his days as a Seton Hall Prep Pirate in an email.
“The best memory from my Seton Hall Prep years was beating East Orange in a game where the both of us were undefeated prior to the game and the victory led to us winning the conference title.”
Villanova’s website also shows how Monangai has rushed for over 2,029 yards as well as have 100-yard career rushing yards in eight games.
Monangai explained in an email what his favorite memory was from playing at Villanova on the football field which will always live forever.
“My best memory from football during my time was eclipsing 1,000 yards during my sophomore year,” Monangai said. “That feat made me the fourth person in school history to do so.”
Condon also mentions that it was a lot of fun keeping up with Monangai in college as well as what he has accomplished at Villanova.
“It was a lot of fun following Kevin at Nova,” he said in his email. “It was even more entertaining being in the CAA with him and having our two schools [Villanova vs the University of Maine] competing against each other. He reminds a lot of people of Brian Westbrook, myself included.
“In a system where he played with a duel threat quarterback in John Robertson who took a lot of the carries,” Condon added. “He still managed to kill it and appear on all the leader boards for Villanova’s all time stat-leaders.”
Callaghan also talks about Monangai’s accomplishments in college and compare him to former Villanova running back Brian Westbrook.
“Obviously there’s a good history of football in Villanova seeing as Brian Westbrook came from there, he said. “As for Kevin’s career at Villanova, he ended up third all-time in rushing which is a great accomplishment to be behind his fellow teammate which is his quarterback and his predecessor which is Brian Westbrook. Hopefully he can have a pro career like Brian Westbrook did to.”
Even though Monangai is finished at Villanova, his memories will always be cemented on and off the football field.
Condon talked about how Monangai has incredible potential for the NFL as well as watching him take the leap to the next level.
“I believe Kevin is a player with an unlimited and extremely underrated potential in the NFL who needs his chance,” Condon said. “I can’t wait to see what he does and where he ends up.”
“Some team will see what a truly special football player he is,” Condon added. “Take a chance on him and then reap the benefits.”
Callaghan also believes with Monangai’s work ethic, he will transition perfectly to the next level.
“Like I said, he’s constantly trying to better himself,” Callaghan said. “So I know if he does get a shot at the pros, he’ll try to make the best of it and work hard and constantly and better himself. If he keeps his work ethic like it is now, I think the sky’s the limit.”
As for Monangai’s transition to the NFL, he mentions how excited he is to be able to play football in the next level.
“If I choose to go to the NFL (which I have), I look forward to continuing to play the sport I love as well as being able to get paid to do it,” Monangai said.
The last thing Monangai mentioned is how football made him who he is today.
“It’s taught me how to overcome the obstacles in my life through all my being’s faculties,” Monangai said. “Physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, etc.”
Here is a timeline of images and videos throughout Monangai’s career in high school and college.
As of May 3, Kevin Monangai announced on his Instagram account that he signed a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent.
Former Livingston High School football player, Anthony Fischer discusses in an email how he thinks Monangai will do in the pros since he was picked up by the Eagles.
“To be honest, I’m not sure how he’ll do in the pros,” Fischer said. “I know that he excelled at Villanova, but then again they don’t play the best teams in the NCAA. I think that he has the potential to do well, but he’ll be facing the best of the best that football has to offer so he’ll definitely be challenged.”
Callaghan talks about how hard it’ll be for Monangai to get a spot on the Eagles since the team signed two star running backs in the offseason.
“Being that he wasn’t drafted means that he’s going to have to prove himself more,” Callaghan said. “With the Eagles offseason acquisitions of DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews, they are extremely deep at the running back position making it that much harder.”
“He’s going to have to make a big statement in the preseason to get a season roster spot,” he added, but knowing Kev, he’s definitely up for the challenge.”
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