KJ Duff, a 6‑foot‑6, 225‑pound wide receiver for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, turned heads across the Big Ten last season by amassing 1,084 receiving yards and seven touchdowns despite a revolving door at quarterback.
Pollack’s praise and the prospect of a first‑round pick
Analyst David Pollack, the former NFL safety turned ESPN commentator, described Duff as an "absolute freak show," highlighting his rare blend of size, speed, and hands, and went on to forecast that the senior could be selected in the first round of the upcoming NFL draft.
What makes his numbers stand out is the context: the Scarlet Knights struggled to find stability under center, forcing Duff to make contested catches in traffic. He led the nation with 22 such catches, a testament to his ability to win battles against defensive backs.
Even with the team’s offensive inconsistencies, Duff chose to remain at Rutgers for his final year of eligibility, a decision that reflects both his loyalty to the program and his confidence in the direction the Scarlet Knights are heading.
His performance placed him among an exclusive group of Big Ten receivers who have eclipsed the 1,000‑yard threshold, joining Makai Lemon and Jeremiah Smith, and his emergence adds a new narrative to the conference’s evolving receiving landscape.