ATLANTA -- Freshman Alabama wide receiver Trevon Diggs has been a Swiss Army Knife-type player in his first season with the Crimson Tide, filling many roles when needed.

The multi-tool true freshman signed with Alabama as a four-star athlete out of Rockville, Md., in February, and as soon as he arrived on campus, Diggs’ ability caught the attention of those around him. At SEC Media Days in July, senior tight end O.J. Howard praised the youngster for his speed, strong hands and technique while running routes.

When the Tide experienced attrition at defensive back and learned it would be without junior cornerback Tony Brown for the first four games of the season, Diggs was asked to cross the line and play on the defensive side, at least in practice. He started to make strides there, too.

And he also began the season as a starter on kickoff returns and a backup on punt returns and has since seen his role on the latter expand and flourish in place of an injured senior.

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Back at wide receiver, there’s no doubt in Diggs’ versatility on the field. But there’s also no one trying to discredit his willingness to do whatever is necessary to help his team win.

“It’s just me listening to what coach really wants me to do,” Diggs said in the locker room after the SEC Championship Game. “If he wants me to go on defense, that’s what I’m gonna do. I’m gonna put my all into it. If it’s offense, I’ll put my all into it. Just work hard and try to do my best at it.”

Diggs has been one of the first players off the bench at the receiver position and has caught 11 passes -- which is the fifth-most among wideouts -- for 88 yards and a touchdown. But the area where he has been used the most the last five games is as a punt returner.

Stepping in for senior safety Eddie Jackson (leg) after the Texas A&M game, Diggs has shown progress in his special teams spot with each passing week. Evidence of that came in the SEC title game at the beginning of the month when the freshman fielded three punts and returned them for 90 yards, averaging an obvious 30 yards per punt return.

“I was really comfortable,” Diggs said of his success during returns in Atlanta. “It’s a great stage. Before, I was a little anxious, but I’m more comfortable now and just trying to embrace it.”

One thing that’s allowed Diggs to reach that point of comfortability and success at multiple positions is observing the veterans and leaders on this Alabama team. And like last year, there are a number of guys for him to try to emulate on and off the field. Add sponge to his list of abilities.

“When I was on defense, it was Eddie Jackson. I learned from him every day. He would help me with the calls and stuff,” Diggs said. “And on offense, ArDarius Stewart, Calvin Ridley. It’s just a bunch of guys that you can just look up to and just follow their lead.

“They know what they’re doing, they’ve been here before, so just follow them. Everyone on the defense is just a bunch of leaders that work hard. We wanna do what they do so we can be in the position that they’re in.”

Stewart has been one of Diggs’ biggest fans this season, speaking highly of the true freshman whenever he gets an opportunity -- and backing up that Swiss Army Knife comparison.

“He can do a lot of things,” Stewart said. “They had him on defense, when he went on defense at the beginning of the season, he was over there intercepting the ball and then after that he’d come over and catch a couple of touchdown passes on offense. That’s kind of crazy for a young guy to come in and get all of the aspects right on offense and defense.”

In the locker room inside the Georgia Dome, Diggs didn’t look like an intimidated freshman. He looked like a contributing player that just won an SEC Championship, a smile stretched wide across his face. A Maryland product and the younger brother of a budding NFL star, Diggs had just realized what he and his teammates had accomplished, as well as what was still left on the table.

“I stepped back and was like, ‘Wow, we won the SEC Championship. This is my first championship.’ And it’s fun,” Diggs said. “Great guys are battling, so I’m just trying to work hard, get better every day and just get back to work.”

Diggs and No. 1 Alabama will return to the practice field Friday for their first day of on-field prep for No. 4 Washington and its third appearance in the College Football Playoff.

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