4-star TE KJ Duff commits to Rutgers: 'It made too much sense not to go there"

Riverhead (N.Y.) St. Anthony’s four-star tight end KJ Duff accumulated more than two dozen offers from programs spanning the entire country. At different points throughout his recruitment, three programs were in the top spot on his list.

But ultimately his decision came down to two schools: North Carolina and Rutgers. On Thursday evening, he made the call for the Scarlet Knights and Greg Schiano.

“I went back and forth between North Carolina and Rutgers,” he told On3. “I put a lot of thought into it and I put it on paper and wrote it out. Rutgers made too much sense for me not to go there.”

The Scarlet Knights were on of his first offers, dating back to his sophomore season in January 2022. He’d previously camped in Piscataway, but the offer was something special, especially being a Northeast prospect.

“The way they recruited me from the beginning was consistent,” he said. “It was perfect for 18 months. They loved me and stayed the same, and their recruitment stayed the same. They made it clear I was a No. 1 priority for a very long time.”

KJ Duff likes the culture that Schiano is implementing

The 6-foot-5, 200-pounder estimates he has been on campus nearly a dozen times as a recruit. He has “seen it all” and believes that Schiano and his staff are building something special on and off the field.

“The culture is something I really like,” he said. “That is something that stands out — I see it and trust it. I love what they believe in and stand for, and it is a family vibe with all of the coaches. I will be taken care of there.”

Duff has a connection with the entire coaching staff as well, something that was different from any other school he considered.

“Coach Scott Vallone, the offensive line assistant coach, came from my high school,” he said. “We have a great relationship and he was a factor. Wide receivers coach David Brock and John Perry were big factors too. They have that experience, and I am trusting in them to get developed there. They want me to be that No. 1 WR, and I see that as a perfect opportunity for me.”

Duff is the No. 331 overall prospect in the 2024 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He ranks as the nation’s No. 21 tight end and the No. 2 recruit in New York State.

On3 is significantly higher on him than other services, tabbing him as the nation’s No. 265 prospect and No. 17 tight end.