Rutgers wide receiver KJ Duff is positioning himself to become a rare first-round NFL draft pick for the program, drawing praise from scouts for his size, athleticism, and playmaking ability.
Duff, a 6-foot-6, 225-pound receiver, has undergone a significant physical transformation since arriving at Rutgers, committing to rigorous weight training and dietary discipline. "My receivers coach says, ‘If you are big, play big. If you are fast, play fast. If you are both, God bless you,’ " Duff said. "I like to think I’m both. A strong suit of my game is using my body to put myself in the best position, and you have to have that mentality that, ‘It’s mine.’"
Last season, Duff led college football with 22 contested catches and is projected as a first- or second-round prospect by multiple NFL organizations. His performance has not gone unnoticed by head coach Greg Schiano. "The way he works is different: You are very fortunate when your best player is your hardest worker, and that is definitely the case," Schiano stated. "If you go to your [NFL] owner with that kid, you can’t go wrong for every reason."
Rutgers made a seven-figure Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) commitment to retain Duff, who reportedly received larger offers to transfer. Despite the financial incentives, Duff emphasized his loyalty to the program. "It was important for me to leave a legacy and finish what I started," he said. "With the landscape of college football, there were definitely opportunities. But I decided what was most important to me … was playing for the coaches that believed in me from the start."
Rutgers has not had a first-round NFL draft pick since Anthony Davis and Devin McCourty in 2010. "He’s the real deal," one NFC scout commented. "There is a lot to like in terms of size, athleticism, ball skills and body control. Just smooth. If he has a season similar to last year, I can see him becoming a starter in the NFL."
Duff and 1,200-yard rusher Antwan Raymond are expected to lead the offense as Rutgers aims for a bowl game appearance after narrowly missing a bid last season. "Coming off a disappointing season, it leaves a bad taste in your mouth all offseason. The attitude around the building is, ‘All we want to do is win. You can’t wait until Sept. 3 to write a new story,’ " Duff said.
Quarterback Competition
This season also features a key quarterback competition between Boston College transfer Dylan Lonergan and two-year backup AJ Surace. Schiano noted that both quarterbacks are high-aptitude, focused players with similar arm strength, meaning the offensive strategy will not significantly change regardless of who starts. This situation is reminiscent of the 2005 season when Ryan Hart and Mike Teel shared duties.
Season Outlook
Rutgers faces a challenging Big Ten schedule, with preseason polls ranking Northwestern 14th, Maryland 15th, and Rutgers 17th. The team's ability to navigate a difficult stretch of games, including road matchups against Maryland and Northwestern, will be crucial for postseason aspirations. The program also seeks to end a 43-game losing streak against ranked opponents, the longest among Power Five programs.
Defensive Changes
Head coach Greg Schiano has hired Travis Johansen as defensive coordinator, aiming to bring a new dynamic to the defense. Johansen's approach is expected to blend Schiano's defensive philosophy with his own strategic adjustments. Rutgers returns only three defensive starters from last season, a unit that allowed an average of 432.8 yards and 31.8 points per game.
