On3 4-star TE KJ Duff announces top seven schools

Riverhead (N.Y.) St. Anthony’s four-star tight end KJ Duff holds 26 offers. He is ready to cut his list down substantially.

Duff announced his top seven schools on Monday night. They are Texas, Miami, Texas A&M, Rutgers, UCF, North Carolina and Syracuse.

“There is some kind of order in it,” Duff told On3. “I just thought it would be good to get the top seven. It’s really what I’ve been focusing on for the past couple weeks. I definitely do have a leader and an order.”

The 6-foot-5, 200-pound recruit has already visited each of his finalists once. Meanwhile, he has taken nearly 10 trips to Rutgers, two to North Carolina and between two and three to Syracuse.

At the moment, Duff has set official visits to Rutgers on June 2 and North Carolina on June 9. His other finalists also want to host him for officials, so the New York native is figuring out which schools will get them.

According to Duff, he is “definitely” committing this summer. The four-star can picture himself picking his college destination from all seven schools or just two or three if he chooses to.

“A lot of it has to do with relationships, just building that relationship with the coach and his staff,” said Duff, the No. 280 overall prospect and No. 17 tight end in the 2024 On300. “Something that also has been important to me throughout this whole process is what my role is. Looking at this list, almost every school, they talked about different ways of using me in the offense, whether it’s at wide receiver or tight end. A big thing for me is finding where I think I’m going to fit best and be able to perform the best in that offense.”

Duff breaks down his top seven schools

Miami: “Miami, I think you could just say it speaks for itself, first off. What’s stuck out to me about Miami is coach Kevin Beard, the wide receivers coach. I went in there on a visit to feel things out and he pulled me aside. We talked. He watched my tape right in front of me and decided he wanted to offer me right there. Also, the conversations we have are real life conversations, which is something I really respect about him. So I really like him as a coach.”

North Carolina: “North Carolina is definitely one of the schools that I love. I was in the North Carolina area around three or four days and I was able to go back twice. I love how the school makes me feel. Coach (Freddie) Kitchens, him being an NFL head coach a few years ago and having that experience working with a lot of top guys is something I like.”

Rutgers: “That was the first Power Five program that offered me. Ever since, it’s been nonstop. They’ve always been in communication. I’d say I’ve taken eight or nine visits there now. It feels like family there.”

Syracuse: “I love their plan for me, having Oronde Gadsden II there right now, doing what he does. It’s probably the most clear plan right now, just seeing him perform and knowing that I can be the next him, just come in there and do what he does now.”

Texas: “I’ve been able to form a relationship with the offensive coordinator, coach (Kyle) Flood. He’s actually from New York, probably 40-45 minutes away from where I live. I was able to visit Texas and I just really like Texas, the big name and also how they would use me.”

Texas A&M: “I was able to get down there and meet with coach (Jimbo) Fisher. I really liked the whole campus and what they’re now building. They’re building another indoor field. I also like that it’s football in Texas. It’s definitely a great opportunity and I like coach (James) Coley a lot.”

UCF: “I went there not knowing what to expect, but I actually really liked it. Coach (Brian) Blackmon, the tight ends coach, and coach (Grant) Heard, they’re both actively recruiting me. I went there to talk with coach Blackmon and coach Heard, the wide receivers coach, came and pulled me aside and told me how this is his first time seeing me and he really liked me. If I decide to come to UCF, I can come play in his room as much as I want. I like how they’re both actively recruiting me and how they say I would be in that offense.”