Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1338415
www.BLUEANDGOLD.com MARCH 2021 33 2021 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY MIKE SINGER On the traditional first Wednesday in February National Signing Day, Logan Diggs announced he would be inking with Notre Dame over in- state LSU. However, the fact of the matter is that the Metairie (La.) Archbishop Rummel star running back had al- ready signed with Notre Dame in December. LSU offered Diggs Dec. 9 — one week ahead of the early sign- ing period — and he felt that he had to take a look at his "dream school" despite their offer coming late. Diggs, who originally gave a ver- bal commitment to the Irish last July, mulled over his decision between the two schools and secretly signed with Notre Dame with the plans to announce it in February with his teammates who were also announc- ing decisions. What Diggs didn't know at the time of his December signing was that Notre Dame safeties coach Terry Joseph, a New Orleans native who recruited him for the Irish, would leave for an opening on the Texas staff. While the country was waiting to see whether Diggs would sign with Notre Dame or flip his commitment to LSU, the truth was that in order for Diggs to switch to the Tigers, he would have needed to ask out of his National Letter of Intent that he had already signed with Notre Dame. But he never did ask for a release and locked in with the Fighting Irish. Head coach Brian Kelly took mat- ters into his own hands to build a strong relationship with Diggs, and running backs coach Lance Taylor eased Diggs' concerns with Joseph leaving as well. "It came down to a last minute," Diggs told the New Orleans media after revealing his decision publicly. "I chose Notre Dame because they have a plan for me. "Football is important, but one day it'll be over. Having that Notre Dame degree was important for me." Diggs grew up an LSU fan, and if the Tigers would have offered earlier in the process, he probably would be a part of their class. However, Notre Dame came on strong last May and earned his verbal commitment a cou- ple months later. "I really wanted to stay home, but at the same time, I felt like I needed that change to go try something new," Diggs added. Diggs will enroll at Notre Dame this summer, and he has a message for Fighting Irish fans. "Be ready," he said. "You have a 'dog' coming up there." ✦ LOGAN DIGGS RUNNING BACK 6-0 · 200 ARCHBISHOP RUMMEL H.S. MARRERO, LA. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ — 19 13 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 31 18 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 27 17 STATISTICS • Had 139 carries for 913 yards and 10 touch- downs, plus 19 receptions for 164 yards and two re- ceiving scores, in just eight games played during his senior season. Also had a kickoff return touchdown. • During his junior campaign, totaled 924 yards and five touchdowns on 165 carries, plus 26 catches for 186 yards and four scores. NOTABLE • Born on March 17, 2002. • 2020 Louisiana Sports Writers Association Class 5A Outstanding Offensive Player award. • 2020 Louisiana Sports Writers Association Class 5A first-team offense. • 2020 Louisiana MaxPreps All-State first-team offense. • 2020 Preseason Louisiana All-State high school first-team offense. • 2020 Louisiana District 9-5A first-team offense. • Led Archbishop Rummel to a 2019 Louisiana Division I championship. • Participates in the long jump and hurdles for the Archbishop Rummel track and field team. RECRUITMENT • Earned an offer from Notre Dame on May 5, 2020 and committed to the Irish on July 29, 2020, despite never visiting campus. • Took his first visit to Notre Dame last Decem- ber for a self-guided tour. • Received an offer from LSU one week be- fore the early signing period and decided that he wouldn't announce his destination until the February signing period. • Secretly signed with Notre Dame in Decem- ber, but wanted to announce his final decision with his other teammates. • Recruited by running backs coach Lance Tay- lor and former safeties coach Terry Joseph. 2021 PROJECTION • Kyren Williams and Chris Tyree will lead a strong one-two punch at running back once again next fall, but Diggs can compete for the No. 3 spot and potentially play a role on special teams. THEY SAID IT Rivals South Central recruiting analyst Sam Spie- gelman: "Diggs is a well-rounded prospect who specializes in outside runs and can be an effective receiver out of the backfield. He has quick feet and is elusive in space, can quickly change direction, has great burst and is super twitchy. Diggs has a sec- ond gear when he reaches the second level of the defense and flashes a ton of home-run potential." Archbishop Rummel head coach Nicholas Monica: "He's a complete back. He's as versa- tile as they come with his ability to be a power runner but also make you miss in space, and his pass-catching abilities are pretty impressive for a running back as well. He takes pride in his pass protection and that's pretty impressive as well. "He's a great kid, 3.4 GPA student, relatively quiet. He's well liked on our campus, not just by his team- mates but by other students and faculty members." National recruiting analyst Tom Lemming: "One of the more reliable and aggressive down- hill runners you will find showing good vision, excellent field awareness, speed and determina- tion. He's quick and nimble, which allows him to change directions and avoid fast defenders." Secret Signee Logan Diggs Stayed With Irish Despite Late Push By LSU Diggs scored 13 touchdowns in eight games as a senior and received the 2020 Louisiana Sports Writers Association Class 5A Outstanding Offensive Player award. PHOTO BY BEAU BRUNE