The Importance of Logan Diggs' Commitment to LSU
Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers secured another Louisiana native via the NCAA Transfer Portal on Tuesday when former Notre Dame running back Logan Diggs revealed his commitment to the purple and gold.
Diggs, who quickly became the Tigers No. 1 target in the portal, gives this program a monster running back moving forward. With uncertainty surrounding the current roster, Diggs’ durability became a key piece in adding him to the running back room.
But where does Diggs flourish? How does he fit into this offense? What does his commitment mean for this program?
A dive into Diggs’ game and how it all came together:
Consistency and Production
Diggs is fresh off of his best season with Notre Dame. After rushing for 821 rushing yards on a team-high 165 carries, while scoring four touchdowns and averaging five yards per carry, Diggs quickly became a hot name on the market before Kelly and Co. secured the coveted running back.
The 6-foot, 214-pounder has been durable throughout his college career, and entering an LSU running back room that has battled the injury bug as of late, he has the chance to come in and earn RB1 duties immediately.
Diggs has proven what he’s capable during his time with the Fighting Irish. Kelly has seen it. All of Louisiana has seen it. Now, he has the chance to prove it in the purple and gold that he can take his game to the next level in Baton Rouge.
Versatility
Diggs is a back who can make plays in the passing game whether it’s picking up a block to protect Jayden Daniels or catch a ball out of the backfield and turn it up field for a positive yardage play.
He accumulated over 200 yards receiving last season with Notre Dame, and entering an offense that is successful in the short passing game, he could flourish in offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock’s system.
Whether it’s showing how dynamic of a running back he is with his rushing attack or making positive plays in the receiving game, Diggs’ versatility is a piece that makes him such a lethal force in this system moving forward.
The LSU Ties
The relationship Diggs and Kelly previously had during their time in South Bend eventually controlled the pace in his recruitment process once entering the portal. With Kelly landing Diggs out of high school, once he entered the portal, it made for a smooth dynamic.
Add in the recruiting genius of running backs coach Frank Wilson, who was the primary recruiter for Diggs during the transfer portal process, and it became a match made in heaven for this program and the former Notre Dame back.
With multiple years of eligibility, Diggs gives the Tigers a big boost moving forward. A player who’s proven he can play under the brightest of lights, it’ll be exciting to monitor his growth once in the SEC.
The Talent Pool
LSU has their fair share of running backs, but with uncertainty moving forward, going out and securing Diggs became this program’s top priority.
With a lack of experience and/or health concerns, Kelly put his foot on the gas to add another back in the portal with Diggs being the No. 1 target.
Josh Williams and Armoni Goodwin, who handled starting duties in 2022, have battled injuries this offseason. For Noah Cain, he’s emerged as a starting caliber back, and the Tigers could very well call his number this season.
For senior John Emery, his status remains up in the air as he gets his academics in check. He missed all of spring camp and has been unavailable for much of his college career.
Looking ahead to the future, early-enrollee Trey Holly was a standout during Spring Camp and has the chance to make an impact sooner rather than later. He’ll be accompanied by freshman back Kaleb Jackson as the one-two punch of the future.
LSU has Williams, Cain, Goodwin, Emery, Holly and Jackson set to be their backs this season, but with injury concerns and inexperience, they now add a durable star in Diggs heading into the 2023.
