Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver KJ Duff - Dan Squicciarini/NurPhoto via Getty Images
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are heading into their first bye week with a 1-4 record. The team has won just one game, but one bright spot of the Rutgers offense continues to be wide receiver KJ Duff Jr.
The Scarlet Knights have struggled through the first month of the season. No matter which quarterback is on the field throwing to him, Duff is having a big season.
KJ Duff Jr.’s 2026 Season So Far
Only three Scarlet Knights have surpassed 100 receiving yards so far this season. Wide receiver Jourdin Houston has 15 receptions for 169 yards, and wide receiver Ben Black III has nine receptions for 180 yards.
Duff is the only other player with over 100 receiving yards, but more importantly, he has been targeted exponentially more, and leads the team in both receiving yards and touchdowns. Through five games, Duff has had 33 receptions for 628 yards and seven touchdowns. He is on pace to not only reach his 2025 stats, but improve them.
Duff has had three games with over 100 receiving yards. He has done so against Howard, Boston College, and the University of Massachusetts. Although Rutgers opened up the season with a loss against UMass, Duff had a big game, recording nine receptions for 196 yards and three touchdowns.
Becoming a Top 2027 NFL Draft Prospect
With Duff’s performance not just this season, but in 2025 as well, he will be a wide receiver to watch for in the 2027 NFL Draft. It is still early in the season, but after a month, he is already trending toward being a player to watch in the first round.
He is in his third season with the program, joining in 2024. One of the biggest reasons Duff could be a first-round pick is because of how he has improved each season.
As a freshman, Duff competed in all 13 games, earning 27 receptions for 425 yards and one touchdown. Just one season later, as a sophomore, he recorded 60 receptions for 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns. He did so playing in all 12 games for the Scarlet Knights.
With Duff’s trajectory, the wide receiver could have entered the NCAA Transfer Portal. Players entering the portal if they believe they can get more exposure with another program is common. With his skill set, the receiver could have also gone somewhere to earn more in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL).
Staying with the Scarlet Knights not only helps the Rutgers offense, but it shows Duff’s loyalty to his team.
After Rutgers’ Bye Week
The Scarlet Knights are 1-4, seeking their first conference win of the season. After the bye week, Rutgers will host the Maryland Terrapins, who are 2-3, set to face the No. 5 Ohio State Buckeyes. Neither Rutgers nor Maryland has a conference win heading into Week 6 of the college football season.
Rutgers and Maryland will kick off on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 12:30 p.m. EST at SHI Stadium.
