Last January, Rutgers football was the first Power Five offer for K.J. Duff, putting the Scarlet Knights in early for a recruitment that would blow up a year later. Some of the biggest programs in college football would offer Duff, but his relationship with Rutgers proved a strong component in his committing to the Big Ten program.
Duff, a tight end/wide receiver prospect, had an impressive 42 catches for 995 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns last season for St. Anthony’s (Melville, N.Y.). He became a national recruit; during his commitment ceremony last week, he had a final three of Rutgers, Miami and North Carolina.
But his offer list as a four-star and the highest-ranked recruit in New stretched much further and included Arizona State, Duke, Georgia Tech, Kansas, Maryland, Pittsburgh, Syracuse and Texas A&M among others.
Despite this national recruitment, Duff ended up choosing to stay home and committed to Rutgers.
“I really felt like Rutgers was the best place for me. All the coaches, everyone there I just feel like I really can develop there,” Duff told Varsity Media following his commitment ceremony. “And yeah, I can see myself there.”
Varsity Media provided the live web stream for Duff’s event last Thursday.
The question now for Duff is a matter of position. Recently made a four-star at Rivals (and also receiving a bump up to the top player in the state), Duff is an intriguing prospect. At 6-foot-5 and 207 pounds, he has the size to play tight end or at wide receiver.
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Showing some considerable maturity, Duff said that all he wants to do is make an impact on the field when asking a question about what position he will play at the Power Five level.
“You know, all through my recruitment people asked me what I wanted to be and all this stuff,” Duff said.
“Well, I’m a ballplayer and I’m gonna go out there and get the ball. I’m gonna score those touchdowns.”
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