One down, four to go.
Savon Huggins, the No. 5 recruit in the nation from St. Peter's Prep (Jersey City, N.J.), picked Rutgers over North Carolina on Friday afternoon.
Higgins was one of five of the nation's top-six recruits who had yet to announce their college choices. National Signing Day is Wednesday.
The 6-foot, 200-pound senior made the announcement at the St. Peter's Prep library and ended much anticipation where the rising star would land.
An impressive senior season and showings at all-star games helped Huggins jump 45 spots in CBS/MaxPreps recruiting expert Tom Lemming's preseason rankings, all the way to the fifth slot.
"Out of all the backs I saw on tape and in person, Huggins impressed me the most," Lemming said.
MaxPreps National Football Editor Stephen Spiewak said Huggins, a well-balanced 3.8 student who recorded a reported 1,400 on his SAT exams, was as impressive in the recruiting process as he was on the field. Huggins rushed for 1,893 yards and scored 35 touchdowns his senior season.
"Savon handled the recruiting process extremely well," Spiewak said. "He truly entered the process with an open mind, weighed all of his options, and ultimately arrived to his decision."
Spiewak said Huggins' choice to go to Rutgers wasn't just about pleasing his local friends and family. Though some have said that Higgins signing would be the biggest in Rutgers school history.
"While many players around the state tried to convince Huggins to go to Rutgers, I believe it's a decision he made on his own," he said. "He was able to block out numerous distractions and do what he felt was right for him."
It was a crucial addition for Rutgers.
"Huggins was a must-have recruit for Rutgers," Spiewak said. "Not only will he provide immediate help and do well in Rutgers' style of offense, but it helps negate the perception that top players in New Jersey need to go out of state for college.
"Rutgers did an outstanding job recruiting him. Early on in Huggins' career, it seemed like he was bound to leave New Jersey. Greg Schiano and staff did a great job developing a relationship with him and ultimately gaining a commitment from him."
The other four top recruits who have yet to commit are No. 1 Jadeveon Clowney, a defensive end from South Pointe (Rock Hill, S.C.), No. 3 Cyrus Kouandjio, an offensive lineman from DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.), No. 4 Stephone Anthony, a linebacker from Anson (Wadesboro, N.C.) and No. 6 Tony Steward, a linebacker and running back from Menendez (St. Augustine, Fla.).
Photo by Daniel Coppola/MaxPreps.com
