Bentonville 2016 Safety Logan Darby Discusses Pitt State Visit and Upcoming Recruiting Trips

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

After mulling over an opening for this piece. The idea for the opening was simple, truthful, and honest; watching Bentonville High School safety Logan Darby is fun to do. His highlight reel is as good as any other complete with jarring hits, a 90-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown, an 80-something yard kick return for a touchdown, and shadow coverage showing off great athleticism, speed, and quickness knocking the ball away from the receiver at the last second.

Darby has received some love from the state of Arkansas but not as much as one might expect. For the second year in a row, Darby was name 7A West All-Conference, arguably the toughest high school football conference in the state, but somehow missed out on being name first team All-State after posting a state line of 107 tackles, 15 pass breakups, three picks, four total touchdowns; one fumble recovery, one kickoff return and two receiving touchdowns, both 50-plus yards. The 5’11”, 175 pound, all-around athlete was named second team All-State.

The bias against Arkansas high school football players continued in 2015 in other ways with Darby being one of the many in-state recruits overlooked. Several Division-II schools are showing interest but the offers have not come in yet with coaches playing the wait and see game as National Signing Day nears. Pitt State, Central Oklahoma, Arkansas Tech, Southern Baptist, and Harding are showing the most interest ahead of Feb. 3.

Darby and Bentonville cornerback teammate Tyrone Mahone took a visit to Pitt State over the weekend each seeking to get an offer to one of the top Division-II programs in the area. On Jan. 23, the dynamic Bentonville secondary duo will head to Central Oklahoma hitting the recruiting trail again looking to find the right fit for school and their skill set at the next level.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I got the inside scoop on Darby’s visit to Pitt State and previewed his trip to Central Oklahoma.

Interview

Logan, you just wrapped up your visit with Pitt State. Walk me through the visit if you don’t mind.

“We got there on Sunday at 3:00. Basically they took us around to see all the main sites. We saw the student center, the stadium, and they got a new indoor facility and weight room which are really nice. They have new locker rooms too which are really nice as well.”

Did you get much time to talk to the coaches while you were there?

“We got there and saw everything. Then they talked to us and our parents. I did an agility workout. I did some backpedaling and broke on the ball. After that, we met with some of the players. The next day we talked to coach about offers.”

Did they offer?

“No, but they are supposed to let us know within the next day or two after they have a coaches’ meeting about offers.”

Did you get a good feeling that an offer is coming your way?

“I don’t know but I would be really excited if they do decide to offer me.”

How did you feel about your workout for the coaching staff?

“It went really well. I felt fast. They were complimentary of me. Being in track has increased my speed a lot too. It felt good to get back into the grove doing backpedals and all of that stuff.”

What was your overall impression of Pitt State?

“It was a really fun visit and they have state of the art facilities.”

What visit do you have up next?

“Next weekend we (Tyrone Mahone) are going to UCO (Central Oklahoma).”

What are you looking for with your visit to UCO?

“I’m not sure what to expect. I’ve talked to some of the coaches a couple of times. I’m just going in open minded and optimistic.”

What other schools are showing interest in you right now?

“Arkansas Tech texted me the other day wanting me to visit. Harding contacted me a while back. I have not heard from UCA. Southern Baptist, they were really interested. There is a Missouri school showing a lot of interest in me too.”

Logan, good luck with your visit to UCO and with the potential offer from Pitt State.

“Thank you.”

To see Logan Darby’s senior season highlight reel via Hudl click the link.

Photo credit: Darby family; Logan Darby visiting Pitt State.