The Scarlet Knights are riding a wave of preseason acclaim, with Athlon Sports recently tabbing both KJ Duff and Antwan Raymond as All‑American selections for the 2026 season.
Preseason Accolades
Their inclusion follows a string of accolades from Phil Steele, which previously honored the pair with All‑American mentions and All‑Big Ten nods, underscoring a consistent trajectory of excellence.
Duff’s 2025 campaign was nothing short of spectacular; he hauled in 60 receptions for 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns, a performance that earned him an honorable‑mention nod from Phil Steele and a second‑team All‑Big Ten slot.
Raymond, meanwhile, powered the ground game with 244 carries that yielded 1,241 yards and 13 touchdowns, a showing that placed him on Phil Steele’s fourth‑team All‑American list and a second‑team All‑Big Ten berth.
Both athletes were also placed on Athlon’s first‑team All‑Big Ten squads, a testament to the conference’s belief that the Scarlet Knights’ offensive weapons rank among the nation’s best.
The excitement, however, hinges on an unsettled question: who will assume the starting quarterback role? The position remains open, and the team’s success will largely depend on the eventual starter’s ability to harness Duff’s receiving threats and Raymond’s rushing prowess.
Adding to the anticipation, Duff, Raymond and fellow standout Kwabena Asamoah are slated to represent Rutgers at the Big Ten media days in July, where they will field questions about the team’s ambitions and the upcoming season’s challenges.