KJ Duff is a star in the making.

Going into this year, there was a clear top two receivers in College Football. Everyone knew the potential of Rutgers wideout KJ Duff, but no one expected him to be anywhere close to a top five receiver in the sport. While his team has struggled, what Duff has been able to do through these first four games is nothing short off remarkable.

Last season as a Sophomore, Duff tallied sixty catches for 1,084 yards along with seven touchdowns. Many knew he had the potential to build on that great season, but the numbers he is producing are unheard of for a Rutgers program short on success in the 21st century. The most significant stat from last year that is comparable to his amazing start this year is the touchdown number. Duff had seven grabs last year, and through just 4 games, he has matched that number. He also has nearly seven-hundred more receiving yards than he had last season, as well as ninety receptions, which would be a fifty percent increase in reception volumes to the previous season.

So why is Duff not in the conversations for a top 3 receiver in football? The Scarlet Knights aren’t winning games. Rutgers is 1-3 on the year, with their only win coming against a weak FCS foe in Howard this past Saturday. In the 58-7 win, KJ Duff had 131 yards on just 5 catches for a touchdown, and played limited snaps because of a blowout. Aside from that win, Rutgers has 3 losses, with 2 of those coming to two teams who were arguably ranked the 2 worst in CFB this year in Umass and Boston College.

The UMass game wasn’t even close, but Duff carried the load for a struggling Rutgers offense. In the 37-21 loss, Duff had 9 catches for 196 yards and the team around him couldn’t get remotely close to a win. Against Boston College, Duff had 137 yards and 2 touchdowns.

If this Rutgers team was competitive, Duff would be getting a lot more buzz. If KJ was on Texas or Alabama, teams that are winning games and are in the national spotlight, not to mention have way better quarterback play, Duff would be right in conversations with Malachi Toney as the second-best receiver behind Jeremiah Smith. As a junior, it is likely he could transfer to a big-time SEC school like Texas, or a Big 10 powerhouse like Ohio State if he decides not to go to the NFL.

Rutgers may not be a good overall football team, but KJ Duff is a superstar and deserves more love.

Duff will face his first Big 10 opponent this week against the defending national champion Indiana Hoosiers and will have the chance to show off in the national spotlight.

Photo Credits: LA Times