KJ Duff Named Midseason All-American, Makes Highlight-Reel Catch
Rutgers wide receiver KJ Duff has been named to the Associated Press Second Team Midseason All-America list, the only Scarlet Knight to earn the recognition. The honor comes after a blistering start to the 2026 season in which Duff has caught 33 passes for 628 yards and seven touchdowns through five games. He ranks third nationally with 125.6 receiving yards per game, fifth with seven receiving scores, and 17th with 6.6 receptions per contest.
On Saturday, Duff added another highlight to his reel. In Rutgers’ game at Maryland, quarterback Dylan Lonergan lofted a pass into the left side of the end zone on second-and-5 from the Maryland 15. Duff, blanketed by a defender, extended his right arm and made a one-handed grab while getting his foot down inbounds for the touchdown. The spectacular catch underscored why he has become one of the most bankable playmakers in college football.
A Model of Consistency
Duff’s production has been remarkably steady. He has recorded at least 78 receiving yards in every game this season, with three contests over 100 yards, including a 196-yard, three-touchdown outburst against UMass. He also put up 137 yards and two scores at Boston College and 131 yards and a score against Howard. The seven touchdowns leave him three shy of the Rutgers single-season record for receiving scores, and he recently closed a streak of five consecutive games with a receiving touchdown—a program record.
The consistency has come despite a new quarterback and a coaching staff change on offense. Duff has still produced at a higher per-game rate than he did a year ago, when he finished with 60 catches for 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns and was voted Second Team All-Big Ten. He led the nation in contested catches in 2025, according to Pro Football Focus.
Career Milestones
A third-year player and team captain, Duff has 120 career receptions for 2,137 yards and 15 touchdowns. Those totals rank eighth in Rutgers history for receiving yards and 10th for receiving touchdowns. He reached 1,000 career yards in 21 games and 2,000 in 29 games, and he has six career 100-yard games. He has recorded at least two catches in each of the last 24 games, the longest such streak at Rutgers since Kenny Britt’s 31 consecutive games from 2006-08.
NFL Draft Buzz Builds
Duff’s midseason recognition is the first for a Rutgers player since 2023, and it comes as he begins to appear in early 2027 NFL draft conversations. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. recently released his top 25 Big Board for the 2027 draft, and while Duff was not listed among the top prospects in the visible portion of that ranking, his trajectory suggests he could enter the conversation with a strong finish. The Yahoo Sports Daily crew also tabbed Duff as their player to watch in Week 7, with college fantasy football analyst Eric Froton highlighting his matchup potential.
For a Rutgers team that is 1-4 and plays at Maryland on Saturday, Duff has been a rare bright spot. His individual success has not translated to team wins, but it has kept the Scarlet Knights competitive and given NFL evaluators plenty of reason to take notice.
What This Means for Rutgers and Duff’s Future
The midseason All-America nod is a meaningful validation for Duff, who has emerged as one of the Big Ten’s premier receivers despite the program’s struggles. The attention could also boost Rutgers’ recruiting efforts, as the staff can point to Duff’s development as evidence that the program can produce NFL-caliber talent. With the 2027 draft still more than a year away, Duff has time to climb draft boards. If he maintains his current pace, he could become the first Rutgers receiver selected in the draft since Kenny Britt in 2009. For now, Duff’s focus remains on helping the Scarlet Knights turn their season around, starting with Saturday’s game at Maryland.
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