Florida A&M cornerback T.J. Huggins hasn't played in all the Rattlers ' eight games this season.
But, the redshirt junior has impacted the Rattlers' defense, which has constantly improved as FAMU absorbs its Southwestern Athletic Conference schedule.
Since returning from a torn labrum suffered in training camp, the Miami native has blanketed opposing wide receivers, leading the team with five pass deflections and two interceptions in five game appearances for the Rattlers.
"Keep your head down and work. Hard work pays off in the end," Huggins told the Tallahassee Democrat in an one-on-one interview. "That's what's going on."
After tearing his labrum, Huggins had to decide if he would immediately have surgery, which would've sidelined him, or play through the injury. Huggins opted to rehab his labrum and delay surgical repairs until after the 2024 season.
Huggins just wanted to play. And his choice to tough it out has paid off for the Rattlers.
Plus, he says his shoulder feels stronger than ever.
Huggins will have another opportunity to perform this Saturday when the Rattlers (5-3, 3-1 in SWAC) travel to Texas to face Prairie View A&M (3-4, 2-3 in SWAC) in a Week 11 SWAC game. Kickoff is at 3 p.m. Eastern Time on ESPN Plus.
"TJ Huggins hadn't played all year because he was banged up. And now that he's playing, he's as dominant as a corner than maybe the guy on the other side," said FAMU head coach James Colzie III .
Colzie mentioned early in the season that he was searching for the correct mix of cornerbacks to run alongside Rattlers' All-American talent, Kendall Bohler .
So far, so good.
Huggins has helped the Rattlers' secondary become the SWAC's top pass defense, collecting nine interceptions in FAMU's last four games.
"TJ Huggins is doing a great job," Bohler said. "He's an all-around guy and doing what he's got to do ― making plays, pass breakups, tackles. When his name was called, he was ready."
After graduating from Miami Killian High School, Huggins began his college football career on the Football Bowl Subdivision level at Tulane in 2021.
Huggins said FAMU targeted him out of high school as a three-star prospect, and those prior connections helped him land with the Rattlers when he entered the NCAA Transfer Portal in 2023.
Huggins was a reserve player for the Rattlers in his first season on The Highest of Seven Hills.
"I got recruited by FAMU out of high school," Huggins said. "I went to Tulane, but it wasn't what I thought it would be. Once I hit the portal, FAMU gave me another opportunity. Now I'm here."
Huggins is naturally a receiver, the position he starred at in high school.
He possesses a slender build at 6-foot-3 and 185 pounds. Huggins' receiver instincts and polished defensive back skill set and size have helped him pick off opposing quarterbacks.
Coincidentally, Huggins caught his two interceptions versus Alabama State, then Southern downfield and in stride, as he was the opposing quarterback's intended target. Huggins can still tote the football ball, too, as he returned his interception against Southern for 59 yards to set up the Rattlers' ensuing offensive drive.
"I just feel like once the ball is in the air, it's mine ― especially on deep routes," Huggins said. "Once I see the ball in the air, I forget all about DB. I lock in on the ball and try to get it."
A year after arriving at FAMU, Huggins is a Black College Football National Champion and pivotal to the Rattlers' defensive rise in Football Championship rankings.
In four games, the Rattlers have risen from 88th to 43rd in the FCS' total defensive rankings .
"That's just the identity and the mindset of this team and defense ― the grit," said FAMU defensive coordinator Milton Patterson . "TJ has fought through the shoulders and the cramps, came back, and put his best foot forward. That's just the attitude we want to be contagious to this team on this team no matter the circumstances."
When: Saturday, Nov. 9 at 3 p.m. Eastern Time
Where: Panther Stadium; Prairie View, Texas
Broadcast: ESPN Plus, Rattlers mobile application
Tickets: Purchase Here
Gerald Thomas, III is a multi-time award-winning journalist for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat.
Follow his award-winning coverage on RattlerNews.com and contact him via email at GDThomas@Tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee .
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida A&M football CB TJ Huggins producing despite being 'banged up'
