Time going by fast for Huggins

By Hale McGranahan.

ORANGEBURG – It seems like Albert Huggins has been on the recruiting scene forever, but his days are numbered.

The senior defensive tackle from Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School is just a few months away from graduation and an early enrollment in college.

“It’s going by fast already. It’s the second day, but it’s going by fast. School is going by fast, but I’m going to enjoy it, try to get everything out of it,” Huggins told TheClemsonInsider at his school on Thursday afternoon.

Exactly where he signs remains to be seen, though Clemson is one of a few that remains under serious consideration. Defensive ends coach Marion Hobby has been hot on Huggins’ trail since day one. And it certainly helps that O-W graduate Jadar Johnson is a sophomore safety for the Tigers.

“Jadar and I, we go back,” Huggins said. “I remember him playing jayvee. It was a good time. He’s one of my good friends. It helps a lot for me.”

Though Huggins claimed no favorite when asked on Thursday, many believe Clemson is the team to beat.

“I guess just going there for the first time and enjoying it. I go back and every time I enjoy myself,” he said. “Last time, I was there for three days and got to stay with Jadar, see how the dorms look and see how it really is for football players, so it was a good look, just a look.”

Huggins also wants to look at Florida.

“I was supposed to go down there two years ago, but I didn’t get a chance to. I’m just going to go down there and see if I like it,” he said.

It’s the relationship with defensive line coach Brad Lawing that makes the Gators so intriguing to Huggins.

“He wants to be my coach,” Huggins said. “He’s a great coach. We’ve got history. He’s the man. I want to go down there and see how it is at Florida.”

South Carolina remains a factor, but not as much as they once were.

“Carolina, they’re just not high on my list,” Huggins said. “They’re still there, still under consideration. They’re just not as high.”

Auburn and Florida State are also in the mix. While Huggins would like to see both schools sometime between now and the end of December, there is one visit that he really wants to take before making a decision.

“That Florida trip, then if I can get two or three more in without messing up my schedule for the season. But, if not, I just need one visit,” Huggins said.