Diggs becomes fourth Irish player in last week to enter portal

Despite a bevy of recent transfers, there were (and still are) many reasons to be optimistic heading into 2023. One of them is Notre Dame’s embarrassment of riches at running back. In fact, the Irish are so deep at the position they already opted to make one subtraction to the position’s depth chart: shifting senior Chris Tyree to wide receiver. Junior Audric Estime figures to lead the charge after a breakout 2022 campaign. And the Irish have no shortage of young talent at the position, either. From sophomores Gi’Bran Payne and Jadarian Price to incoming four-star recruit Jeremiyah Love, the usually stout Irish ground game could reach levels even unprecedented for their lofty standards.

However, there’s one key name missing from that list: Logan Diggs. The junior split No. 2 duties with Tyree for most of the 2022 season. While Estime has been at the top of the depth chart for a while now, Diggs figured to be in line for significant playing time early in the season. If Tyree sticks at receiver, it stood to reason that some of the younger options would need more time to develop before receiving regular touches.

But that plan faded away Thursday evening, with Diggs announcing he will be entering the transfer portal. He is the fourth noteworthy Irish player to enter the portal in the last few weeks. First, Lorenzo Styles came into the portal the day before the Blue-Gold game. Linebacker Prince Kollie entered shortly after. And Tyler Buchner had a brief stay in the portal, officially announcing earlier Thursday he will reunite with former Irish offensive coordinator Tommy Rees in Alabama.

Last season, Diggs played in 12 of Notre Dame’s 13 games. He averaged five yards per carry on 165 rushes that accounted for four touchdowns. Diggs was also a threat in the passing game, hauling in 10 receptions for 211 yards and two scores. In his first season with the Irish in 2021, the Boutte, Louisiana native also accounted for 230 yards on the ground and 56 through the air, combining for four touchdowns.