Louisiana RB Logan Diggs speaks about relationship with ASU, Shaun Aguano

In the same way, Arizona State struggled to recruit quarterback prospects after landing Jayden Daniels, one would think the Sun Devils would have a drought of incoming tailbacks with four-stars DeaMonte Trayanum and Daniyel Ngata about to start their freshman season.

For highly-touted skill players, it can be a tough sell trying to get them to campus when they know significant playing time is probably a few years away.

But the Sun Devils’ recruiting message is clear and inviting. Running backs coach Shaun Aguano has been steadfast in his philosophy that the best player, regardless of high school star ranking, will play, adding that the Sun Devils will find ways to use their athletes. Just look at last year’s freshman Ethan Long for an example.

And when it comes to incoming recruits, that’s a welcome message -- one that Logan Diggs, a three-star running back from Louisiana has spoken with Aguano about.

“He’s very honest, so he told me about the depth chart and how I could be displayed in the offense,” Diggs said of Aguano. “He told me I have the ability to come in and play as a freshman; I probably wouldn’t spend more than 50 percent (of my time) at running back. I’d be 50-50 at receiver at running back.”

Diggs said that while most schools are recruiting him solely as a running back, noting that a lot of the Pac-12 schools with interest have told him they want him at running back but could use his services at the edge of the line of scrimmage.

“Since I can catch out of the backfield, they want to utilize me out of the backfield also,” Diggs noted. “It really doesn’t matter to me (what position I play). I just like to have the ball in my hands. I’d play just running back if I had to but if they need me to catch the ball, I’d do that too.

“I’d rather play running back but, you never know, sometimes they say the school knows best.”

During his senior season at Archbishop Rummel High, he carried the ball 165 times for 924 yards and a quintet of scores, adding 26 catches for 186 yards and four touchdowns as a wide receiver.

“I feel like I’m an all-purpose back. So whatever situation in the game, I can be in. If you need me to pass protect, I can pass protect. I can catch the ball. I can run,” Diggs commented. “I think my best attribute as a running back is vision, elusiveness, and power. (As a wide receiver, my best attribute) is being able to be crafty and get open.”

The Sun Devils have been in contact with Diggs for a few months now. They offered the Louisiana running back at the end of February, back when the recruiting process was still operating normally, and official visits seemed to just be on the horizon. Things have obviously shifted. Yet, Diggs' recruitment picked up since ASU’s February 20th offer. In that time, he’s picked up a baker’s dozen of new offers from schools such as Notre Dame, Nebraska and Michigan State -- boosting his total to 28 offers.

While he noted that Notre Dame, USC and Vanderbilt are the three schools currently recruiting him the hardest, he said he hopes to speak with ASU more.

And the relationship between Diggs and the Sun Devils has some legs. Aguano told Diggs that the first time he saw the 6-foot, 191-pound running back, ASU was actually at Archbishop Rummel to watch Diggs’ teammate Koy Moore, a 2019 LSU commit.

“And he said I caught his attention,” Diggs said of a conversation with Aguano. “Since then, they were sending me mail and stuff. Then, once they were able to talk to (2021 class) recruits, they talked to me.”

For now, though, Diggs has a few months to narrow down his choices and find his best fit. And perhaps, fit is the best word because Diggs doesn’t want to force his decision or go somewhere on a whim. He wants everything to work out just right.

“Being able to show me how I fit in the offense there. Communicating consistently. And honestly just showing me that I’m a priority and that I’m needed, not wanted,” Diggs said of what he looks for from schools during his recruitment.

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