Savon Huggins, a highly-recruited running back from St. Peter's Prep, leads a Rutgers recruiting class the Star-Ledger is calling "easily the best one in coach Greg Schiano’s 11 years.' Schiano, of course, is the Scarlet Knights coach. After a 4-8 season, 1-6 in the Big East Conference, Schiano and the Scarlet Knights needed a quality recruiting effort.
It appears they got it.
Here is ESPN Big East blogger Brian Bennett summarizing the class:
Rutgers finalized a class of 24 signees, which included five mid-year enrollees. It was a really nice haul for Greg Schiano, headlined by top New Jersey talent Savon Huggins. He's the top-rated recruit in the Big East this year and should really help the running game. A late pickup of offensive lineman Kaleb Wright helps that cause as well.
The Scarlet Knights also pulled in highly regarded defensive lineman Marquise Wright and did an excellent job of keeping several of the top in-state players home. Schiano has built a solid foundation with the past couple of classes and needs to capitalize on it with a conference championship soon.
Schiano appeared on ESPN Wednesday afternoon to discuss his class. Here is what he said about Huggins:
"He is a tremendous running back," Schiano said. "A guy you love to have on your football team."
Schiano also pointed to center Dallas Hendrickson and offensive lineman Keith Lumpkin and Kaleb Johnson as key signings.
-- Here is a look at the full recruiting class.
Savon Huggins Highlights (via 247SportsStudio)