Fast-Riser Duff on UM Offer: 'I'd Been Waiting to Get This One'
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- It didn't take long for onlookers at the Overtime OT7 East Regional tournament over the weekend to ask who KJ Duff was.
The 6-foot-5 pass-catcher from Melville (N.Y.) St. Anthony's was making plays above the rim for Raw 7v7, based in south Florida, once again. This time, though, it was fresh off of earning a scholarship offer from the University of Miami.
Duff was on campus at the end of the week.
"I came down on Thursday, landed, and went straight to The U," he told All Hurricanes. "I did a campus tour and was waiting to do a photo shoot and Coach (Kevin) Beard came up and grabbed me. We never talked before, he didn't really know who all I was and then we went to the meeting room.
"We had a good life talk and then he put on my tape in front of me, watched it and he was like, 'I want to offer you a scholarship.'"
Duff had long held interest in Miami, hearing from multiple coaches on staff, but the quick turnaround with Beard reemphasized the strong standing UM has with the rising-senior recruit.
"After that talk, I know he's a real dude," Duff said. "He's a real good coach and I respect him. He was talking about being a better man and more about life, not just football. That's what I really like about him."
Easyyyyyy @3rdandten_ @CoachMinucci @StAnthonysFB pic.twitter.com/iYkKiKmU67
— Korey “KJ” Duff Jr. (@kj_duff) April 10, 2022
Expect Miami to remain in the mix for the emerging talent, who was recently tabbed four stars by On3. Duff has official visit plans to Rutgers (June 2) and North Carolina (June 23), while Syracuse and Miami are working on logistics. Programs like Georgia and Florida State have increased communication, too.
Despite being the newest offer, the Hurricanes are in the thick of this recruitment.
"It's definitely it," Duff said. "I'd been waiting to get this one. I really like the school, I could definitely see myself there. It's going to be one of the top schools for me."
Duff, who registered 995 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior in 2022, is planning on making a verbal commitment prior to his senior season.
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