How AJ Duffy Revived His Career At New Haven During Chargers’ DI Transition Year
- Dominic Konareski
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
AJ Duffy is now a graduate student and far from his days with FSU, but after a dominant season in Connecticut it may be safe to say that Duffy is accustomed to the Charger way.
Making a switch to any new program comes with its own struggles. Add on to the fact Duffy came into New Haven in what was the University’s inaugural year as a division I program in college football. Plus on top of that massive transition for the team, there was also a new head coach in interim-form with Mark Powell.
The newly-added FCS team, fresh off of NE10 dominance at the division II level, took the term 'transition year’ to an entire new height. Having 2025 be the first year at DI in the Northeast Conference for New Haven, Duffy was named the starter for the Chargers.
Duffy recorded non-competitive time with the Seminoles and had a brief stint as an Aztec, before landing at Tweed and becoming a Charger. The 2025 season marked the first time Duffy got starter opportunities since high school and with that he excelled.
AJ Duffy completed 197 of his passes (334 att) for 2,347 yards and 22 touchdowns, having a 22-10 TD-INT ratio. On the ground the Floridian rushed for 218 yards off of 44 carries and another 4 touchdowns, for 26 total touchdowns.
New Haven would finish their debut season at the highest college division with a 5-5 record. The Chargers did not have any NEC play due to the timing of when the team transitioned, making them 0-0 in the NEC, but good enough to land in 8th place (out of 9 teams) due to Saint Francis being 0-7 in conference play.
Charger fans will get brief looks at the 2026 version of Duffy during the spring game in what will likely be limited time featuring one or two drives. UNH will play their Blue vs. Gold spring game on April 18th, with a 3:30 p.m. kickoff time at Dellacamera Stadium.
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