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· collected 2026-08-25 · by Everett Merrill The Associated Press
KJ Duff, a potential first-round NFL prospect, has decided to stay at Rutgers instead of pursuing other opportunities. Despite being courted by several big-money suitors, Duff chose to remain with the Scarlet Knights due to his relationship with coach Greg Schiano and wide receivers coach Dave Brock. According to reports, Rutgers paid Duff seven figures to stay, a significant amount considering the program's limited NIL funds. As the face of the team, Duff is expected to have another standout season, potentially breaking into the top five in receiving yards for the Scarlet Knights.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-25,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — KJ Duff was the most prolific wide receiver in the nation for catching contested, 50-50 balls in 2025.
asserted
Duff → catch → 2025
When it came to deciding if he would stay at Rutgers after another disappointing season, he was up in the air.
asserted
he → come → air
“It was tough for me,” Duff said as the season approached.
asserted
season → say → me
“There were obviously other opportunities on the table with the way college football is now.
asserted
football → be → way
I went back and forth for weeks.
asserted
I → go → weeks
One day I’m leaving, one day I’m not
asserted
I → leave → ?
But ultimately it came down to what was important to me, staying at Rutgers to finish what I started with coach (Greg) Schiano.
asserted
I → come → Schiano
The 6-foot-6 Duff, who claimed 22 of those passes up for grabs, returns for his junior year as the face of the Scarlet Knights, who were 5-7 last season.
asserted
who → claim → Knights
He is a projected first-round draft pick after a breakout season when he caught 60 passes for 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns.
asserted
he → project → yards
He was named to the preseason AP All-America second team.
asserted
He → name → team
“Certainly his athletic ability, his gifts, his height, his catch radius make him a dynamic receiver,” Schiano said.
asserted
Schiano → make → ?
“But I think what makes him special is how hard he works.
asserted
he → think → ?
He is a consummate pro in the way he approaches football.
asserted
he → approach → football
He’s constantly working on getting better physically and mentally as well as emotionally.
asserted
He → work → ?
He’s the complete athlete.”
asserted
He → ’ → ?
Schiano was understandably concerned he would lose his top receiver to another Power Four school.
asserted
he → concern → school
“The amount of money that was being thrown at him (Duff) had me very concerned,” he said.
asserted
he → throw → him
“But I respect him for listening.
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I → respect → listening
Whether he decided to stay or not, he was open-minded to listening and I think there is a relationship of trust there.”
asserted
I → decide → trust
Potential first-round NFL pick
Rutgers was able to retain Duff by reportedly paying him seven figures, a lot of money considering it is among the lowest programs in NIL funds in the Big Ten conference.
uncertain
it → retain → conference
“As far as the money goes it wasn’t a big difference,” Duff said of the other offers he received.
asserted
he → go → offers
“It was the opportunity to maybe play at a bigger stage, plus coming off that season I was very frustrated how it went, going 5-7.
asserted
it → play → stage
So the opportunity to start fresh somewhere else was on the table for me.”
asserted
opportunity → start → me
Duff did his research on former Scarlet Knights’ wide receivers and figures he could vault into the program’s top five in receiving yards if he has another standout year.
uncertain
he → do → year
He also noted his relationship with Schiano and wide receivers coach Dave Brock.
asserted
He → note → Schiano
“The relationship with coach Schiano and the relationship with coach Brock are very important to me,” Duff said.
asserted
Duff → say → me
“What both of them have done to get me to this point.
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both → do → point
Ultimately, I wanted to finish what I started with them.”
asserted
I → want → them
Schiano admits that Duff is still learning how to use his frame to his advantage as he eyes this season and beyond.
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he → admit → season
“There’s not a lot of 6-6 DBs (defensive backs),” said Schiano.
asserted
Schiano → ’ → DBs
“So as he (Duff) learns to use his body better and better, those balls should go from 50-50 to 80-20.”
asserted
balls → learn → 80
The focus of the offense
Antwan Raymond, who became just the sixth running back in Rutgers history to gain more than 1,200 yards in a season, returns to help alleviate some of the attention from Duff.
asserted
who → become → Duff
“I joke around with him (Raymond),” Duff said.
asserted
Duff → joke → him
“I don’t get to see him run the ball too much because I’m always blocking for him.
asserted
I → get → him
Dylan Lonergan, a transfer from Boston College, beat out redshirt sophomore AJ Sorace in summer camp for the starting quarterback role.
asserted
Lonergan → beat → role
Lonergan threw for 2,025 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Eagles last season.
asserted
Lonergan → throw → Eagles
Strong transferred to Cal for his senior year.
asserted
Strong → transfer → year
The pair finished as Rutgers’ two leading receivers last season.
asserted
pair → finish → receivers
Duff hears the buzz surrounding his status as a potential first round NFL pick next spring if he decides to declare for the draft.
asserted
he → hear → draft
He’s also aware of the attention he will be drawing.
asserted
he → ’ → attention
…and 3 more, not listed.
