Rutgers football lands 4-star 2024 tight end Korey Duff Jr.
The Rutgers football team made a big splash on the recruiting trail for its 2024 class, landing four-star tight end Korey Duff Jr. out of St. Anthony’s High School in Melville, New York. Duff, who announced his commitment to the Scarlet Knights on Instagram Live, is the top-ranked player in the state of New York according to Rivals’ rankings and the second-ranked according to 247 Sports’ composite rankings. He is also currently Rutgers’ highest-rated recruit for the class of 2024.
Measuring at 6-foot-5 and 207 pounds, Duff is projected to play more as a wide receiver at the next level. His size and frame make for a dynamic weapon in the passing game, as he is a big-bodied wide receiver with soft hands, a type of player that the Knights have been missing in recent years. Even if he does end up sticking at tight end, his skill set would be welcomed, as Rutgers has not had an NFL-caliber player in that position since Tyler Kroft in 2014.
In his senior year at St. Anthony’s, Duff hauled in 42 receptions while racking up 995 yards and 12 touchdowns.
In acquiring Duff, the Knights were able to beat out North Carolina and Miami, two high-caliber programs on the gridiron. Duff’s commitment also represents the second time in three years that head coach Greg Schiano has brought in the top-ranked player in New York, joining sophomore linebacker Moses Walker, who was the top New York recruit in the class of 2022.
Outside of landing a high-caliber player, Rutgers acquiring Duff could also help the team in acquiring future talent. He told The Knight Report that he plans to help recruit other players to play on the Banks.
“I know Josiah Brown just committed, but I’m going to be on him for a while as it’s far from over now,” Duff said. “Kaj Sanders from Jersey over at Bergen Catholic is another big one on the defensive side of the ball.”
While Brown committed to Penn State, the Knights were a close second. The fact that Duff is already thinking of players he wants to join him at Rutgers is a good sign for retaining his commitment, as well as the general perception of the program. After Duff’s commitment, the Knights’ 2024 recruiting class currently sits at 21st nationally and sixth in the Big Ten for Rivals, while 247 Sports ranks it 29th nationally and 8th among the Big Ten.
With 20 recruits committed, Rutgers’ 2024 class ranks among the bigger classes early in the recruiting cycle. Its size is likely the reason for the Knights’ high ranking, as Duff is the only four-star currently committed.
When more of the country’s top recruits commit to marquee programs — such as Alabama, which currently sits eight spots behind Rutgers, according to 247 Sports — the Knights will likely fall in the rankings. Still, it’s very encouraging to see the progress being made on the recruiting trail under Schiano, which may lead to more success on the field. Bringing in Duff is a good start.
“I really stress and believe with what coach Schiano and staff are doing there,” Duff said. “With the new hires on the offensive side, especially the offensive coordinator and the wide receiver coaches, I really feel like I can go and get developed there.”
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