Interview: 7-Offer All-State 2022 Arkansas OL Will Diggins has Top Recruiting Visits Planned
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
A high school football program does not real off three consecutive 7A state championships without some tone setters in the trenches. At Bryant High School, one of the anchors on the offensive line helping the Hornets win 26 consecutive games the last two seasons is tackle Will Diggins. The 6-5, 270-pound, standout is more than a bruising enforcer, his quick feet help him with his pass protection and getting to the second level on pulls and screen passes. The showcased talent and the potential for the All-Conference and All-State performer has brought seven offers to the table with interest coming in from programs like Arkansas, Florida State, and Indiana.
In an RNG detailed one-on-one, Diggins breaks down his play on the offensive line with a look at his recruiting process that includes planned visits this summer.
Interview
Will, you are both patient and unrelenting at the snap of the ball. Besides destroying your assignment on a given play, do you have a personal philosophy to your game as an offensive lineman?
One thing that I specialized in is my speed off the ball. Being fast and getting to the linebacker or getting out on a screen to the corner or defensive back, I go get the first one then I go to the second guy.
The way you win battles, not only do you put a guy down but you destroy him with that pancake pounce. Did you track how many knockdowns and/or pancakes you got during the 2020 season?
No, I wasn’t focused on that. Pancakes are great, but I was focused on my running back making it to the end zone.
If you had to guess about how many pancakes and/or knockdowns were you getting each game during the 2020 season?
Per game I was getting about four to five pancakes.
Strictly with your run blocking, what do you feel are the strengths to your game?
My strengths are being weight room and field strong and being able to figure out where my opponent will be at from watching film before they get there.
Working on the QB’s blindside, what are your strengths with pass protection?
My strengths, first I don’t want my quarterback to get touched. If he’s not touched, I am great. My hand and footwork are strengths, and I will always outsmart the defender.
With the technical parts of your game, what are you working on this offseason?
This offseason I am working on, I will be pulling more this season, my pull steps, my correct steps, and staying flat and square. I am working on a faster kick step playing both tackle and guard. In college I will have to play both.
What exercises and lifts are you doing to add more power to your skillset?
Our strength and conditioning coach is great. Outside of working with him, my dad has me doing pushups, sit-ups, and body weight exercises. For heavy weights, I go to a trainer focusing on my legs and lower body.
What are your weight room maxes?
My squat is 465, my bench is 275, and my deadlift is 585.
Nice. Are you playing any other varsity sports for Bryant?
Yes, basketball. I have started at center the past two years.
How did the 2020-21 basketball season go for you?
It went great, better than I expected it to go. We didn’t finish how I wanted, but we had a great run. We have great players coming back next year. It will be exciting.
Back to football. Are there any camps coming up local or national you have gone to already or have coming up?
Yes, last week I went to a Rivals camp on Sunday. There are some camps coming up this summer I plan on going to. I went to an Arkansas Elite 100 camp this spring.
How did the Rivals camp go?
It was great to see other competition than in state guys. There were five- and four-stars there that you know you will see at the next level.
How did the one-on-ones go for you?
It went great. Most of my one-on-one reps came from left guard. There were a lot of left tackles there. I was trying to get as many reps as possible. The first one I lost; I was getting used to being in a three-point stance again. But I figured it out, it came back easy, I went 3-1 on my reps.
Going into recruiting. Which programs are showing interest but have not offered yet?
So far Indiana, Florida State, and I talked to Arkansas recently.
How many offers do you have?
I have seven: Tulane, Arkansas State, Memphis, Middle Tennessee, Baylor, UCA (Central Arkansas), Morgan State, and I just picked up Louisiana-Monroe today.
Congratulations on the offer from ULM.
Thank you.
This summer, are there any visits you may take?
Yes, my top two visits are Baylor and Memphis. Hopefully over the summer I can pick up some more offers and visit more schools.
Will, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of your offseason workouts until we talk again.
Thank you.
Photo credit: Diggins family; Will Diggins