Rutgers will be without the program's best player for the remainder of the season, as star wide receiver KJ Duff underwent season-ending high-ankle surgery this week, sources told ESPN on Wednesday.
After missing Rutgers' final three games, he is expected to resume full football activities in January, sources said. The surgery was performed by Dr. Norman Waldrop, a noted foot and ankle specialist, in Birmingham, Alabama.
Duff, a true junior, projects as a first-round pick in the upcoming NFL draft. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. ranks him as the No. 18 overall prospect. He would be the first first-round draft pick from Rutgers since 2010, assuming he declares.
Amid a 2-7 season for Rutgers, Duff has been one of the few bright spots. He is fifth in the Big Ten in receiving with 774 yards. Last year, he finished third in the Big Ten behind Jeremiah Smith and Makai Lemon with 1,084 yards. He has 17 touchdowns for his career.
He has nine receiving touchdowns this year, including three against UMass and a pair against Boston College and Maryland.
Duff is the second Rutgers star to recently have season-ending surgery. Offensive lineman Kwabena Asamoah also underwent season-ending surgery, as sources told ESPN last week. He was a second-team ESPN All-American in 2025.
Rutgers will host Nebraska this week, travel to Penn State and host Michigan State to close the year. Rutgers announced earlier this week that Greg Schiano will return as coach for his 19th season next year.