Rutgers' star WR KJ Duff's next stop will be 2027 NFL Draft

KJ Duff. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Rutgers' star WR KJ Duff's next stop will be 2027 NFL Draft

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Nov 11, 2026 9:31 PM ET

It has been a tough season for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, but this is a program that hasn't had a ton worth celebrating since 2006.

That was their last double-digit win season.

With that said, wideout KJ Duff has been a consistent bright spot for Rutgers since joining the program in 2024. Unfortunately for both Duff and the Scarlet Knights, the former four-star recruit from Melville, New York, is not going to get a chance to finish his college career with his pads on.

On Wednesday, it was reported that Duff had to undergo season-ending high-ankle surgery this week. He's going to miss the remainder of this season, and though he'll be able to resume football activities in January, the chances are high that he won't be coming back to Rutgers.

Sources: Rutgers star wide receiver KJ Duff underwent season-ending high-ankle surgery this week. He’ll miss the remainder of the year. He’s expected to resume full football activities in January. pic.twitter.com/At0SmvdHcU
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 11, 2026

It's not because Duff will be hitting the transfer portal, either. While that could always be the case in today's topsy-turvy college football environment, more likely than not, Duff will be entering his name in the 2027 NFL Draft.

Rutgers WR KJ Duff is a top 2027 NFL Draft prospect

Even with this injury and subsequent surgery, the 6-foot-6, 225-pound junior wideout is expected to be a first-round pick in 2027. In fact, Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Duff as the No. 18 prospect on his 2027 big board.

"You just aren't going to find wideouts with his skill set very often," Kiper Jr. wrote of the Rugers wideout. "Duff is a matchup nightmare at 6-foot-6, and offensive coordinators can line him up as a wideout, "move" tight end or even H-back because of that frame. Duff routinely uses his size to box out defenders. He attacks the ball in the air, and I see outstanding hands and body control. He adjusts well to off-target throws. Over his career, Duff has averaged 17.2 yards per catch, presenting his big-play potential."

In three seasons at Rutgers, Duff has caught 132 passes for 2,283 yards and 17 touchdowns, and he has been the lone bright spot for the Scarlet Knights during their 2-7 season so far.

He'll leave the 2026 campaign having caught 45 passes for 774 yards and nine touchdowns. His 2027 season will likely be played as a rookie in the league.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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