WEST HAVEN, Conn. – AJ Duffy (St. Augustine, Fla./Rancho Verde) has been around the block. He's seen a lot of things since he left the sunshine and humidity of St. Augustine, Florida, as an 18-year-old. He's seen teammates have bad years, good years, quit, and get drafted to the NFL.
Having gone from a four-star Florida State recruit at age 18, to San Diego State University last season, to now running New Haven's offense, the gunslinger has seen a lot of things.
Something he had yet to see–the blue turf of DellaCamera Stadium, the capacity crowd at home games, and one of the best football gameday atmospheres in the northeast United States.
In total, Duffy had accumulated 26 yards, one touchdown, and five yards rushing in the three prior seasons.
But, the past is the past for the junior quarterback, and he has exploded onto the FCS scene through his first five career collegiate starts. Through five games, the now 22-year-old has totaled 1,242 yards through the air, tossed 12 touchdowns, and picked up 95 yards on the ground. The former Seminole-turned-Aztec, now Charger, has picked up two NEC Offensive Player of the Week awards, leading the conference.
The production on the field has translated into the most Duffy has had on the field since "freshman or sophomore year of high school", when he played for his dad.
"Of course, my last spots were fun, but it's a little more fun when you're out there in action. I would say, honestly, this is the most fun I've had since freshman or sophomore year of high school, playing for my dad. It's a ton of fun out there, just getting after it with the guys every week," Duffy said.
When reflecting on his journey to New Haven to this point, Duffy mentioned Jordan Travis as a teammate whom he learned a lot from. He also credits the coaching staff at San Diego State for helping him develop into the player he has become now.
Despite not seeing action for three years, Duffy kept the mindset of being ready to play every day, saying, "I've been ready for a while. I just needed to get hit once, and then I'd be right back in the swing of things. I would say it refreshes you back in the groove of everything."
"It was tough being a practice player and getting in during mop-up time, but it was good for me. It's tough on you mentally, so you have to be mentally tough and have a 'stay ready mentality' because you know you're not the guy, so you're a couple plays away from getting in there," Duffy said.
When New Haven announced it was moving up to Division I in May, Duffy was "fired up". The signal caller was excited to be a Charger in general, but when Director of Athletics Devin Crosby announced the transition, it was "icing on the cake".
Duffy ultimately has his eyes on playing professional football, whether it be in the NFL or the Canadian Football League, football is still squarely in Duffy's vision for his future.
And why shouldn't it be? He's having the most fun he's had since he was 15.
