Rutgers wide receiver KJ Duff is a bonafide 2027 NFL draft first round prospect. While most NFL mock drafts do not have Duff in the first round, if you know, you know. And PFF knows, as they rate him a top 20 prospect, and not just a day two (second and third rounds) guy.
The Sports Bank had an exclusive with Duff at Big Ten Media Days, where he discussed his NFL role models:
“If I turn on the NFL film, I like to watch Mike Evans,” he said. One of the most consistent receivers ever, and Drake London as well. I think the body frame, body type. I enjoy watching him.”
The Scarlet Knights star from Riverhead, New York then followed up on London, noting the $141 million extension that the Atlanta Falcons wideout signed in June.
“I did see something on social media the other day about Drake London, like I just mentioned, and I think I would take that as a compliment for sure,” Duff said exclusively to The Sports Bank.
“You know, given that big contract he just signed, so you know he’s definitely earned it from the tape that I’ve watched.”
London is now the third-highest paid receiver in the league.
On 3rd and 13, Rutgers Football WR KJ Duff (@kj_duff) hauls in an INSANE 42-yard one handed catch!
👉 https://t.co/XppRARGnmJ pic.twitter.com/z8E1uEr1xf
— Rutgers Scarlet Knights | The Knight Report (@RutgersOn3) November 29, 2025
Duff obviously has a ways to go to reach that level, but setting London as the role model conveys just how much ambition he really has. And at 6-6, 225, with a great vertical leap, his potential to one day get there is simply through the roof.
He discussed some of the highlights of his career thus far.
“Obviously, the one-hand catch, still floating around the internet today,” he said.
“But I really like the Purdue game, like you mentioned, the six (catches), 241 (yards receiving), and one touchdown.
“People say like being in the zone, and that’s what it was.”
The game at Purdue he produced an utterly insane 40.1 yards per reception. Duff was 10th nationally, last season, in yards receiving with 1,084. He was 16th in yards per reception at 18.1 ypc.
He could have gone anywhere, pretty much, when he was coming out of high school, but he chose to stay closer to home.
KJ Duff went to “The Birthplace” to play his college ball.
“You think back to the 1800s where football, college football started,” he said. “It started right where you’re playing, so it’s something really cool to be a part of.
“We have the statues, and then we have the the Scarlet Walk that we do to honor that statue every time.”
The very first college football game took place in 1869, when Rutgers hosted Princeton.
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, Ratings and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes and the Washington Post.