Penn State’s first recruiting wins under Matt Campbell are starting to show a clear pattern, and Savion Huggins is right in the middle of it.
The new running backs coach, a former Rutgers back and New Jersey native, is already helping the Nittany Lions push deeper into Pennsylvania and the Northeast after a rough run landing local talent in the 2027 class. That work has produced two 2028 commitments so far - quarterback James Armstrong and cornerback Deonte Flemings Jr., both from Pennsylvania - and Huggins is also making noise with another in-state target.
That prospect is Springside Chesnut Hill Academy three-star running back William Howard, and the early signs are encouraging for Penn State. According to Tyler Calvaruso of Lions247, Huggins has become a major factor in Howard’s interest in the program.
"I need a coach like that to really push me to my limit,” Howard told Lions247.
Howard, a 2028 recruit, is also eyeing a fall visit to Happy Valley. Penn State offered him in June after he attended a prospect camp there, and he has already put together a strong sophomore season, rushing for 1,544 yards and 14 touchdowns. He is currently ranked as the No. 14 overall player in Pennsylvania.
At 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, Howard brings the kind of profile Campbell and offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser seem to want at running back. He has balance, vision and the kind of smooth cutting ability that fits a downhill, between-the-tackles style. His frame also suggests there’s room to add more weight down the road.
That would make him a meaningful pickup for Penn State, even with Armstrong and Flemings ranked higher as top-five players in the state. The Nittany Lions landed just one of Pennsylvania’s top 15 players in the 2027 cycle, though those rankings are still subject to change as seniors finish their seasons.
Huggins’ background makes him a natural fit for this job. He understands the area, he knows the recruiting terrain, and he’s already giving Campbell a stronger local presence.
Campbell’s staff has been viewed as a mix of Iowa State imports and Penn State holdovers, and that’s true to a point. But he also reached beyond that circle to fill out the roster of assistants. Huggins came over from Boston College after replacing Stan Drayton, who left for South Carolina this offseason after originally taking over for Ja’Juan Seider, who was hired away by Notre Dame after the 2024 campaign.
Campbell has been deliberate about connecting with Penn State’s culture and the Northeast, and his staff choices reflect that. An Ohio native who spent six years at Toledo and 10 at Iowa State, he brings Midwest roots to the job. But assistants like former Nittany Lion D’Anton Lynn at defensive coordinator, Huggins and wide receivers coach, another New Jersey native who arrived from UConn, have already helped him make inroads in Pennsylvania and neighboring recruiting areas that matter to Penn State.
In Other News...
Penn State Hit With Disturbing Fraternity Scandal As Case Grows
Penn State is dealing with a troubling new chapter off the field, as 14 people have been charged in connection with a cocaine trafficking ring tied to the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternities. The Pennsylvania Attorney General said the case stretches into the universitys Greek life, with several defendants facing felony and misdemeanor counts and some still identified as current Penn State students.
The allegations have sharpened the focus on what investigators say was happening inside the fraternities, where the case has already raised serious questions about campus oversight and student conduct. Delta Upsilon has since been placed on interim suspension, adding another layer of fallout as the legal case continues to develop. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Fans Finally See How New Beaver Stadium Will Change Gameday
Beaver Stadium is headed for its biggest makeover in decades, and Penn State fans are now getting a clearer picture of what game day will look like once the nearly $700 million renovation is complete in 2027. Along with the changes to the building itself, the school is reworking the way fans move through the stadium, including a new numbered seating system that will replace the old lettered sections.
The update also changes the season-ticket experience well before the first hammer swings. Renewals will come earlier, payments can be spread across a 12-month plan, and some premium seating areas will require a one-time capital donation. Ticket prices will span from $550 for the cheapest season tickets to $8,379 for premium North Loge Box seats, giving longtime fans plenty to weigh as Penn State reshapes one of college footballs most recognizable venues. [Read more 🡒]
Penn States Alex Manske Is Back In A Battle Few Saw Coming
Penn State entered the summer with a familiar quarterback conversation at the top of the depth chart, but Alex Manskes path back to the field has made his role far more notable than just the next man up. He was back in full-contact practice by July after a rapid recovery from a major medical scare, and now he is positioned as the Nittany Lions top backup heading into the season.
Manske spoke publicly for the first time in a recent interview about the condition and the rehab that followed, giving a rare look at how much went into getting him back to football. For Penn State, it is a reassuring development in the quarterback room. For Manske, it is also the latest step in a comeback few around the program could have seen coming when the issue first surfaced. [Read more 🡒]