Savon Huggins could have gone almost anywhere in the country to play college football. Instead, he'll simply head south on the Turnpike.
The standout running back from St. Peter's Prep, rated the state's No. 1 player by Rivals.com, announced he is Rutgers-bound at a press conference this afternoon at the library of his high school in Jersey City. The 6-0, 190-pounder had taken official visits to Notre Dame, national champion Auburn, Michigan State, North Carolina and Rutgers, with the latter two emerging as his finalists.
"I felt at home at Rutgers," he said, shortly after playfully putting on a North Carolina cap before switching it — following a dramatic pause — for a Rutgers hat.
Huggins said the arrival of new offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti and head coach Greg Schiano's efforts to shore up the offensive line played a major role in his decision, which was played out before a packed crowd that included current Rutgers players Mohamed Sanu, Chas Dodd, Jeremy Deering, Brandon Coleman, Andre Civil and incoming quarterback recruit Mike Bimonte.
"I saw what he did with Dion Lewis and Ray Graham at Pittsburgh," Huggins said of Cignetti, who was the Panthers' offensive coordinator before coming to Rutgers.
In addition, Rutgers received a commitment earlier in the day from defensive tackle Max Issaka of Woodbridge, rated the state's No. 15 player by Rivals.com. That brings the school's recruiting class — which could wind up as the best in program history — to 23 heading into national letter of intent signing day on Wednesday.
Of those, three are ranked in the top 10 in the state by Rivals.com and eight are rated among New Jersey's top 18 prospects.
Huggins, who rushed for 1,891 yards and 35 touchdowns as a senior, is the first player ranked No. 1 in the state by Rivals to commit to Rutgers. Rivals.com also rates him the No. 7 running back in the country.
Huggins2.JPGAaron Houston/For The Star-LedgerSt. Peter's Prep star running back Savon Huggins is greeted by friends today after announcing he will play football at Rutgers next year.
It's expected that Huggins will immediately compete for playing time at tailback after Rutgers rushed for just 1,211 yards last season — with more than half of it coming out of the "Wildcat" formation.
Huggins' commitment gives Rutgers two recruits from perennial powerhouse St. Peter's Prep, a school that has traditionally sent its top players out of state. Offensive lineman Keith Lumpkin had already given Rutgers a verbal commitment.
Source : http://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/index.ssf/2011/01/st_peters_prep_running_back_sa.html
