Greg Schiano and Rutgers University’s football program were recently able to gain the biggest verbal commitment in school history.
Four-star running back Savon Huggins, the No. 4 running back in the country, out of St. Peter’s Prep (Jersey City, NJ) decided to spurn stronger programs and play football for the Scarlet Knights.
Being a Jersey boy, I should have been excited when I heard the news, since Rutgers usually loses out on elite talent, but all I could think about was two words — why Rutgers?
Before Huggins, the face of Rutgers recruiting was a quarterback out of Pennsylvania named Tom Savage.
Savage was a freshman All-American in 2009, but spent his sophomore season on the bench behind true freshman Chas Dodd as Rutgers finished 4-8 in 2010. Savage is now looking to transfer to another school.
I couldn’t help but think why Huggins, after seeing a top recruit flame out at Rutgers, would pledge himself to the Scarlet Knights.
That thought suddenly transformed into a new one. What do these kids think about when they pick schools?
It’s easy to put recruits on a pedestal because they have elite athletic ability, but what really separates them from all the other high school seniors deciding where to go to school?
They still have to take into consideration the basic things like academic prestige, the night life, proximity to home and several other factors.
When I decided to attend the College, I know I thought about those same things.
Luckily, I didn’t have to make that decision with thousands, maybe millions, of people waiting to comment on it.
I questioned Huggins’ decision because I thought Savon Huggins, the athlete, would be better off at another school, but I didn’t consider whether or not Savon Huggins, the person, would be better off at Rutgers.
Maybe he wants to be close to home, so his mom can see him play, maybe he thinks Rutgers is a good school or maybe he thinks he’ll carry the Scarlet Knights to a National Championship and win the Heisman Trophy.
Actually, now that I really think about it, why not Rutgers?
