Duff & Raymond Named Preseason All-America by Athlon Sports
Jun 29 | Football
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers football WR KJ Duff and RB Antwan Raymond both add Preseason All-America honors in the latest listing released by Athlon Sports. OL Kwabena Asamoah and OL Tyler Needham join in as Preseason All-Big Ten picks by the publication.
Athlon Sports Preseason Honors
Second Team All-America: WR KJ Duff
Third Team All-America: RB Antwan Raymond
First Team All-Big Ten: WR KJ Duff, RB Antwan Raymond
Third Team All-Big Ten: OL Kwabena Asamoah
Fourth Team All-Big Ten: OL Tyler Needham
KJ DUFF
Duff, an Academic All-Big Ten honoree, ranked third in the Big Ten, fourth among Power 4 players and seventh nationally with 90.3 receiving yards per game in 2025. One of three players in the Big Ten to total 1,000 receiving yards, he became the seventh Scarlet Knight to reach 1,000 in a season, the second in the Big Ten era and first since 2014. The 1,084 receiving yards included three games in triple figures with a high of 241 on six receptions in the win at Purdue, the fourth most in a 2025 game nationally, most by a Big Ten player and the second highest by a Scarlet Knight in program history. Duff led the nation with 22 contested catches according to Pro Football Focus, earned honorable mention All-America by Phil Steele and was voted Second Team All-Big Ten. The Riverhead, New York, native had at least five catches in eight games on the way to totaling 60 overall, ninth most in a season in program history, and placed second in the league with 18.1 yards per reception. Fifty of his receptions picked up a first down or scored a touchdown, as he reached the end zone seven times.
ANTWAN RAYMOND
Raymond, one of 10 semifinalists for the Doak Walker National Running Back Award, winner of the Cornish Trophy as the top Canadian in college football and a Fourth Team All-America pick by Phil Steele, finished 2025 with 244 carries for 1,241 yards and 15 touchdowns (13 rushing, two receiving). The rushing total ranked third in the Big Ten, 14th nationally and eighth most in a season in program history. He had four games with at least 100 rushing yards, topped by a 240-yard performance on a school-record-tying 41 attempts in the win over Maryland. The running back scored at least one touchdown in 10 games in ranking third in the league in trips to the end zone, second with 122.2 all-purpose yards per game and eighth nationally with 244 rushing attempts. The performance merited Second Team All-Big Ten honors in both the media and coaches vote, while also earning Academic All-Big Ten and College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team® status.
KWABENA ASAMOAH
Asamoah started all 12 games at right guard in 2025 and each of the past 25 at the position dating back to the previous season. A Second Team All-America by ESPN, he blocked for an offense that averaged 389.1 yards of total offense in Big Ten play, the team's best mark in a season since joining the league. The unit had a 3,000-yard passer, 1,000-yard rusher and 1,000-yard receiver for the second time in program history and first time since 2007. In addition, Rutgers ranked 14th nationally in time of possession (32:31), 15th in yards per completion (13.7) and 20th in first downs gained (279) following the regular season. The Pickerington, Ohio, native is a two-time honorable mention All-Big Ten pick.
TYLER NEEDHAM
Needham enters his sixth season in the program after seeing action in all 12 games with 10 starts in 2025. The versatile offensive lineman has taken snaps at both tackle spots, also contributing at tight end, during his 32 collegiate games for the Scarlet Knights. A Newtown, Pennsylvania, native, he blocked for an offense that averaged 389.1 yards of total offense in Big Ten play last season, the team's best mark in a season since joining the league. The unit had a 3,000-yard passer, 1,000-yard rusher and 1,000-yard receiver for the second time in program history and first time since 2007. In addition, Rutgers ranked 14th nationally in time of possession (32:31), 15th in yards per completion (13.7) and 20th in first downs gained (279) following the regular season. Needham is a four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and member of the Hampshire Honor Society.
Season tickets for all seven home games are on sale. To purchase, visit 2026 Ticket Central or call 866-445-GORU (4678). Single game tickets are available now for the matchups against Howard and Indiana. Benefits of being a season ticket holder include an exclusive opportunity to purchase season parking on Busch campus within walking distance to SHI Stadium, exclusive access to Movie Knight presented by PNC Bank on Thursday, July 23 featuring an autograph session on the field with members of the 2026 football team, early access to single game tickets special pricing, a payment plan option and other Rutgers ticket offers throughout the year.
Follow Rutgers football on X (@RFootball & @RUboardwalk), Facebook (/RFootballShow) and Instagram (@rfootball & @ruboardwalk) for the latest news and updates. Also subscribe to the YouTube channel.
Athlon Sports Preseason Honors
Second Team All-America: WR KJ Duff
Third Team All-America: RB Antwan Raymond
First Team All-Big Ten: WR KJ Duff, RB Antwan Raymond
Third Team All-Big Ten: OL Kwabena Asamoah
Fourth Team All-Big Ten: OL Tyler Needham
KJ DUFF
Duff, an Academic All-Big Ten honoree, ranked third in the Big Ten, fourth among Power 4 players and seventh nationally with 90.3 receiving yards per game in 2025. One of three players in the Big Ten to total 1,000 receiving yards, he became the seventh Scarlet Knight to reach 1,000 in a season, the second in the Big Ten era and first since 2014. The 1,084 receiving yards included three games in triple figures with a high of 241 on six receptions in the win at Purdue, the fourth most in a 2025 game nationally, most by a Big Ten player and the second highest by a Scarlet Knight in program history. Duff led the nation with 22 contested catches according to Pro Football Focus, earned honorable mention All-America by Phil Steele and was voted Second Team All-Big Ten. The Riverhead, New York, native had at least five catches in eight games on the way to totaling 60 overall, ninth most in a season in program history, and placed second in the league with 18.1 yards per reception. Fifty of his receptions picked up a first down or scored a touchdown, as he reached the end zone seven times.
ANTWAN RAYMOND
Raymond, one of 10 semifinalists for the Doak Walker National Running Back Award, winner of the Cornish Trophy as the top Canadian in college football and a Fourth Team All-America pick by Phil Steele, finished 2025 with 244 carries for 1,241 yards and 15 touchdowns (13 rushing, two receiving). The rushing total ranked third in the Big Ten, 14th nationally and eighth most in a season in program history. He had four games with at least 100 rushing yards, topped by a 240-yard performance on a school-record-tying 41 attempts in the win over Maryland. The running back scored at least one touchdown in 10 games in ranking third in the league in trips to the end zone, second with 122.2 all-purpose yards per game and eighth nationally with 244 rushing attempts. The performance merited Second Team All-Big Ten honors in both the media and coaches vote, while also earning Academic All-Big Ten and College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team® status.
KWABENA ASAMOAH
Asamoah started all 12 games at right guard in 2025 and each of the past 25 at the position dating back to the previous season. A Second Team All-America by ESPN, he blocked for an offense that averaged 389.1 yards of total offense in Big Ten play, the team's best mark in a season since joining the league. The unit had a 3,000-yard passer, 1,000-yard rusher and 1,000-yard receiver for the second time in program history and first time since 2007. In addition, Rutgers ranked 14th nationally in time of possession (32:31), 15th in yards per completion (13.7) and 20th in first downs gained (279) following the regular season. The Pickerington, Ohio, native is a two-time honorable mention All-Big Ten pick.
TYLER NEEDHAM
Needham enters his sixth season in the program after seeing action in all 12 games with 10 starts in 2025. The versatile offensive lineman has taken snaps at both tackle spots, also contributing at tight end, during his 32 collegiate games for the Scarlet Knights. A Newtown, Pennsylvania, native, he blocked for an offense that averaged 389.1 yards of total offense in Big Ten play last season, the team's best mark in a season since joining the league. The unit had a 3,000-yard passer, 1,000-yard rusher and 1,000-yard receiver for the second time in program history and first time since 2007. In addition, Rutgers ranked 14th nationally in time of possession (32:31), 15th in yards per completion (13.7) and 20th in first downs gained (279) following the regular season. Needham is a four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and member of the Hampshire Honor Society.
Season tickets for all seven home games are on sale. To purchase, visit 2026 Ticket Central or call 866-445-GORU (4678). Single game tickets are available now for the matchups against Howard and Indiana. Benefits of being a season ticket holder include an exclusive opportunity to purchase season parking on Busch campus within walking distance to SHI Stadium, exclusive access to Movie Knight presented by PNC Bank on Thursday, July 23 featuring an autograph session on the field with members of the 2026 football team, early access to single game tickets special pricing, a payment plan option and other Rutgers ticket offers throughout the year.
Follow Rutgers football on X (@RFootball & @RUboardwalk), Facebook (/RFootballShow) and Instagram (@rfootball & @ruboardwalk) for the latest news and updates. Also subscribe to the YouTube channel.
Players Mentioned
Wednesday, May 27
Monday, May 04
Saturday, April 25
Thursday, April 23
