4-star TE KJ Duff eyes Miami official visit; Hurricanes establish themselves as major contenders

Riverhead (N.Y.) St. Anthony’s 2024 four-star tight end KJ Duff, an On300 prospect, is thinking about taking an official visit to Miami in late June, the No. 281 prospect told CaneSport.

Miami is recruiting Duff at receiver instead of tight end, something the 6-foot-5, 200-pound pass catcher is open to, and UM coaches talk to Duff multiple times per week. Duff announced a top seven of Texas, Miami, Texas A&M, Rutgers, UCF, North Carolina and Syracuse earlier this month, but he said Miami, Rutgers and North Carolina have started standing out.

Rutgers is also recruiting Duff at receiver. He’ll take an official visit to Rutgers June 2 and North Carolina June 9.

“I’ve been in a lot of contact with (Miami receivers coach Kevin) Beard a lot recently, talking about getting a visit set up for the end of June,” Duff said. “As far as my interest goes, I’m definitely interested in The U. … Miami, the school, the history, just everything speaks for itself on that end. But as far as relationships and the staff goes, coach Beard has played a really big role. I really like him and I could definitely see myself getting coached by him.”

Duff says that Beard has called him a “freak” athlete who hasn’t started to reach his potential, and the Hurricanes are making him feel seriously wanted in Coral Gables. Duff is also the No. 469 prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking, which compiles a recruit’s weighted average grade from the four major recruiting services.

“I keep him updated with all of the stuff I’m doing, I send him videos, and he just says, ‘Like I said, (you’re a) freak,’” Duff said.

Rutgers and North Carolina’s respective coaching staffs have been big reasons for his interest in the two schools, and he likes the possibility of coming in and playing early at Rutgers. North Carolina wants to use Duff as a receiving tight end that can be flexed out in the slot. He said he’s open to playing wherever, knows he’ll add weight in college and wants to “let God work.”

Duff said his decision will come down to his comfortability and his relationships with the coaching staffs. He wants to commit the second week of July and believes his official visits will play a major role in his decision.

He currently feels his recruitment could be a battle to the end and said he does not have a frontrunner, although the Hurricanes lead in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

CaneSport’s Take

North Carolina may quietly be a bigger player than the Hurricanes realize, and the Tar Heels are continuing to push. Rutgers’ proximity to home also appeals to Duff, but fans should feel good about the position Miami is in. He could be a name to watch as we creep toward his commitment date.

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