Interview: 2019 California JUCO Talent Logan Darby is the Do-Everything Safety for Southwestern

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

When watching game reel on Class of 2019 strong/free safety Logan Darby, one quickly picks up on his across the board talents. He can cover, brings the hammer when he tackles, and is a sideline to sideline player with a motor that does not quit. His big plays are popping up at all the right times for the Southwestern Jaguars seeing the team rush out to a 4-1 record with the lone loss coming against No.1 California JUCO ranked Fullerton.

Darby is ideal sized for a next level safety coming in at 6-0, 195 pounds. His ability to come down the alley has contributed to 23 tackles, two tackles for a loss, and one fumble recovery. Going against the pass, he has seven passes defended, one interception, and has helped opposing receivers grow alligator arms. The Jaguars defense as a unit has put the clamps down only allowing 244 total yards per game and 11.8 points per game on average.

Another area that makes Darby unique, he will be a December graduate with three years to play three, a big selling point for a lot of Division-I football programs.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive catch-up interview, I sat down with Darby for the first time since his high school days back in Arkansas with Bentonville High School to cover ground on his growing skills and the Jaguars season to date.

Interview

Logan, Southwestern is one of the top junior college football teams in California with a 4-1 record. The defense has been on it holding teams to 12 points per game. What is clicking for you guys on defense this season?

“Communication and knowing our assignments has been key. We are flying around and making plays. We trust each other and we compete with each other in a positive way to see who can make the most plays.”

Which defensive schemes are the Jaguars running?

“We run zone and man. We do it all. We blitz and have safety blitzes; they let us do it all. It is cool because I get to play strong and free safety in our scheme. I get to have fun and fly around.”

You just put out your midseason highlight reel showing great range and versatility in your overall game, what are some of the things you are doing well this year as a safety?

“The offseason was primarily spent focusing on the fundamentals for shoulders down, coming out of my break clean – no rounding it out, and getting comfortable with the basics. I hit the weight room as hard as I could. My main goal was to control what I could control and mastering the craft so I don’t have to think when I’m out on the field.”

What are your overall strengths as a safety?

“The top thing is I fly around. At strong safety, I feel like I am reading my keys well. I like to diagnose the play right away and I can see the flow of the play quickly. At free safety, I am the last line of defense. I have to make sure no one gets behind me. My job is to pick up mistakes and clean up plays.

“Another strength of mine is tackling. My open-field tackling, getting the big hit at the line, and a touchdown saving tackle. With my coverage, I am good at reading the route and the hip of the receiver. That is something I am working on every day, that and reading the eyes of the QB.”

Which game has been your best this season?

“I’d say the (San Diego) Mesa game (won 27-10) was one of my better cover games, and against Fullerton (lost 19-14). I had a high-energy empty the fuel tank game against them. I was making key plays to keep us in the game; we were all going hard on defense. We stepped up in that game. That was the most exciting game going against the No. 1 ranked team.”

Which game this year was tough for you but made you better for the experience?

“Fullerton again. The game was so up and down and so close. It came down to a final drive. We had to get them 3-and-out to give our offense a chance. I had two tackles on that last series. We faced some adversity in that game, but I think we are better for it. With the loss, we realized we have to do better. I hope we see them again.”

You guys just rolled East LA 38-17 and now face a tough Saddleback team on Saturday (Oct. 13). What kind of challenge are you expecting from their offense?

“Their coaching staff is highly acknowledged. They will have a high-powered offense with ballers. Their passing game will be there. The bye week is helping us with preparation for them. We will be ready.”

How is school going?

“Good. My GPA is a 3.1.”

What is your favorite class?

“I enjoy all my business classes. I had a good time in Business Law. I have taken all the business classes I can take. I even enjoyed the accounting classes.”

Last question. What type of student-athlete is Logan Darby?

“Committed. I give it all I got. I don’t fear anyone on the field. I like to go against the best, and I like to challenge myself. I want to win within a team first structure. I love the game of football; I am always having fun in practice and in games because I am doing what I love. I want to perform on the biggest stage. I am a hard worker in the classroom. I take school work seriously because I understand the bigger picture of earning a degree for life after football.”

Logan, great catching up with you today. Good luck on Saturday against Saddleback.

“Thank you.”

*Click link for Logan Darby’s midseason highlight reel

Photo credit: Hudl.com; No. 6 Logan Darby stuffs a tailback

Photo credit: Twitter.com; No. 6 Logan Darby on the sidelines