National Signing Day 2011: Will Savon Huggins Choose Notre Dame or Rutgers?

Savon Huggins, the talented running back out of St. Peter's Prep (NJ), has whittled his list down to four final schools with his decision scheduled to be made public on January 28th. Huggins and his high school coach have been very methodical in Huggins' recruitment and have been thorough in their reviews of schools that he would fit best at.

In-state Rutgers seems to be in the lead for now, yet Huggins has also been strongly linked to Notre Dame, North Carolina and Michigan State.

Come check who might get good news next Friday.

Who Is Savon Huggins?

Huggins is rated a 5-star recruit by Scout and 4-star by Rivals. He's a 6'0" running back with a frame that is right in between 190 and 200 pounds.

While he has very good size for a runner, one would think Huggins is strictly a power back. Wrong, as Huggins is very shifty and elusive with 4.4 speed. He has great vision and run instincts and makes his money on the second and third levels of a defense. He runs well behind his pads and has a great burst to and through holes.

Huggins has a great balance and runs with very deceptive strength. He'll use his vision to cut back against the grain to make a creative play. 

Huggins' Weaknesses

There aren't many knocks on Huggins' game, as he proved during the Under Armour workouts that he can and will be an every-down running back in college.

The final component to rounding out the completion of his game will be his ability as a pass protector in blitz pick-up. How will he handle physical blitzing linebackers at point of attack? How strong will his punch be? Or will he be a body block/cut block type?

These are questions Huggins must answer on the next level.

Running to Chapel Hill

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CHAPEL HILL, NC - NOVEMBER 13: Head coach Butch Davis of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts to a play against the Virginia Tech Hokies during their game at Kenan Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Gett

Huggins took a visit to North Carolina during Halloween weekend and has the Tar Heels in his top four.

He enjoyed his visit and really took a note on how North Carolina utilizes their running backs. Huggins has a great football IQ and really would like to make a sound football decision combined with an academic decision regarding his choice.

His parents enjoyed their time on the visit, and Marquise Williams and Travis Hughes, two Tar Heel commits, have been in Huggins' ear throughout the process trying to lure him to Chapel Hill.

Sportin' for Sparta

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STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans leads his team onto the field before a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions on November 27, 2010 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. The Spartans w

Michigan State and assistant coach Pat Narduzzi have been on Huggins' trail since his sophomore season at St. Pete's.

Huggins really desires to run behind a fullback in college and Michigan State assured him they do and will continue to do so with him in their backfield during his visit to MSU last weekend.

Aside from really liking the Spartans' offense, Huggins really has taken to head coach Mark Dantonio and the facilities at Michigan State.

Many MSU fans can easily envision Huggins as a Spartan.

Not Fighting the Irish

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SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 25: Head coach Brian Kelly of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish along with quarterbacks (L-R) Nate Montana #16, Matthew Mulvey #17, Brian Castello and Tommy Rees #13 watch as their team takes on the Stanford Cardinal at Notre Dame S

Early in Huggins' recruitment, he was fiercely linked to Notre Dame by many observes citing the Catholic school connection, tradition of the Notre Dame's program and a shot at early playing time.

Talk has cooled off a bit, yet Notre Dame is still very much in the thick of the Huggins sweepstakes.

Irish head coach Brian Kelly has been adamant in showing Huggins ways to run the ball in his spread offense that doesn't use a fullback. Huggins took a visit to South Bend in mid-October and really liked the campus and has a very good relationship with the entire staff.

A Scarlet Knight in Shining Armour

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PISCATAWAY, NJ - NOVEMBER 12: Head coach Greg Schiano of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights leads his team on the field to play against the South Florida Bulls at Rutgers Stadium on November 12, 2009 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Image

Rutgers is the in-state school and has been longing to keep Huggins home since the start. The Scarlet Knights are not known to be a recruiting powerhouse but have been effective in their efforts under Greg Schiano.

Also, Rutgers is no stranger to pulling recruiting coups on top local prospects in the past, such as Tennessee Titans receiver Kenny Britt and San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Anthony Davis.

Huggins will pay Piscataway a visit this weekend where Schiano and Co. will have an up-close-and-personal chance to really sell him on the idea of staying home.

And the Winner for Savon Huggins Will Be...

This is a tough call, it really is. All four schools have a legit shot to land Huggins and his choice will not be a shocker wherever he ends up.

Yet there is always something to be said when the hometown and/or in-state school has the final visit before a player is set to make his decision. Rutgers is in that position.

If the Scarlet Knights really do well during his trip this weekend, they could be in position to keep Huggins in Jersey.