Notre Dame RB Logan Diggs Confident Despite A Roller Coaster Offseason
College.
It takes time to adjust to college for most freshmen and Notre Dame running back Logan Diggs was no different. Diggs found himself 981 miles (14 hours and 51 minutes) away from Archbishop Rummel High School in Louisiana when he stepped foot on campus last June.
The 6-foot, 214-pounder immediately went to work as he carved out a role by the end of the year. Diggs finished his freshman campaign with 230 rushing yards and three touchdowns, but he was still dealing with adjusting to life away from home.
“Definitely, (it was a challenge) being so far from home,” stated Diggs. “You feel like you could just get in the car and just drive home but you can't. I always felt like I was close to home. But at the same time, I was like, I know, it wasn't home, it was cold.”
If there was any doubt he was in the right place, Diggs went on a trip to Dallas in March that opened his eyes to the true power of Notre Dame.
In Dallas, Diggs and offensive lineman Blake Fisher were able to sit down and picked the brains of former Notre Dame greats Tim Brown, Zack Martin and Jaylon Smith about life on and off the field.
"What I got out of that meeting was how strong the Notre Dame brand and connections are,” explained Diggs. “Notre Dame is in the Midwest, I went to Dallas and it's still as strong as in Indiana. Everyone was happy to see us and they welcomed me like they were still in the locker room."
Diggs went on to have a productive spring, but ended up tearing his labrum in the Blue-Gold Game, which was a tough moment. Yet, the Louisiana native dug in and relied on his faith to get him through the last few months.
“Most importantly, my relationship with God,” Diggs said of where his confidence comes from. “Every night before I go to sleep, every morning before I eat, I talk to God. I know he has a plan for me and it's what's keeping me confident. It's my faith."
Motivation hasn’t been something Diggs has ever searched for and he has used his injury as a chance to reshape his body.
“My main focus this offseason was trying to get lean and lose body fat,” stated Diggs. “So I feel like my surgery helped me be able to lift more and just be more conditioned, I got to lose a lot of body fat and get my body how I wanted it to be."
Diggs’ mother, AJ, has also made sure she has been by her son’s side through the good and bad despite being back in Boutte (La.)
"My mom is a character” laughed Diggs. “My mom is really vocal. She is going to tell me how she feels and keeps me in the right headspace, even when I'm zoning out. I'm human. Everybody has their days when they're down, but my mom is going to make sure I'm right and that's why I love her."
Notre Dame offensive coordinator Tommy Rees has gone beyond a player-coach relationship, but he’s also held true to his word on the field. Diggs has appreciated Rees’ efforts and honesty dating back to when he was a recruit.
"I love Coach Rees,” stated Diggs. “One of the main focuses of me coming here was he was going to utilize my full ability. He was going to allow me to pass block, run the ball, catch the ball out of the backfield.
"Really just putting me and all the running backs in position to succeed and not be one-dimensional. That's probably what I respect the most about him."
Running backs coach Deland McCullough has remained patient as he waits for Diggs to return to the lineup as he’s been impressed with what he’s seen.
"Logan, through everything he can do has shown well,” McCullough explained. “He showed some nice pop out there today. He's continuing to be competitive, a team and room guy. He's unselfish.
"Coach Freeman and the medical staff make the final determinations when he comes out of that jersey and cut fully loose. The things I've asked him to do, he's been operating at a high level."
As far as a return date, it’s to be determined, but you can bet Diggs will be ready when that time comes.
"I'm not sure about week one,” said Diggs. “You'll have to watch the game to see if I'm out there. I've just been attacking it every day. Staying confident and strong.”
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