Armstead Ready for Visit

The Trojans have stockpiled their 2008 recruiting class with talent on the offensive side of the ball, and will now look to focus their recruiting efforts primarily on defense, where they have just four commitments to date.

One current player committed to play on the defensive side of the ball at USC is Elk Grove (CA.) Pleasant Grove HS defensive lineman Armond Armstead. Armstead, whose athleticism is extremely rare for his size (6’5, 290 lbs.), is coming fresh off a senior season that saw him rack up some monster numbers.

“I had around 100 tackles,” said Armstead. “I had 11 sacks on the year, and I was just a lot more confident out there on the field.”

Things have been relatively quiet around the Armstead household, although Wednesday saw USC head coach Pete Carroll make his way up north.

“Coach Carroll came in tonight for an in-home visit,” said Armstead. “He was just talking to me about my academics, and making sure I am keeping on top of that. He was just letting me know the kind of expectations they had for me, and how they think I can play early.”

Armstead has been the topic of many debates surrounding which side of the ball he will eventually play at the college level, something coach Carroll already has planned out.

“He (coach Carroll) was just letting me know that I will definitely be playing on the d-line,” he said. “They (USC) are losing two defensive ends in Lawrence Jackson and Alex Morrow, so they think I can come in and help out there.”

Having had a break from the chaos that is recruiting, Armstead will head back down to Los Angeles this weekend to take his official visit to USC, where he will be accompanied by many top recruits.

“I’m going to take my official visit this weekend,” he said. “I’ll be there Friday, Saturday and Sunday, although we are going to catch an early flight Sunday to make it back in time for church.”

Armstead is one of many prospects starring in multiple sports, and will now focus his time on the hardwood, where he is a standout basketball player.

“He’s just now getting rolling in basketball,” said his father Guss. “They (Elk Grove HS) had four games and he hasn’t played yet because he tweaked his knee. He’s going to play Tuesday, and we’ll work him back in from there.”

Elk Grove had their season end short with a loss in the second round of the playoffs, an accomplishment for a team graduating their first senior class.

“I think we did good for a first-year senior team,” Armstead commented. “We got into the second round of the playoffs, and just couldn’t get the win.”

Armstead went through a dramatic change physically over the past twelve months, putting on 40 lbs. and improving his speed, but it was the mental growth that helped him dominant the competition week in and week out.

“I think I was more dominant this year,” he admitted. “The teams weren’t running to my side, or they would twice a game, so I focused on being more explosive and chasing down plays. I knew I could be dominant in the games, even against double teams. That’s the mentality you have to have.”

Although his football season was cut short, he will still focus on conditioning and sports that will eventually get him prepared for his freshman year at USC.


“Right now I’m playing basketball,” he said. “I’m going to be working out with some trainers on my hand speed, my explosiveness, and my flexibility. The coaches want me to come in around the weight I am now.”

Armstead was not able to make it down to the Coliseum to take in last weekend’s game against UCLA, but he was able to catch the action on television.

“I was impressed with the defense and how they dominated,” he said. “The defensive line really gets after the quarterbacks. You can tell that they’re just so emotional for the rivalry game.”

Armstead said he focuses on the defensive line throughout each game, trying to pick up on things that could potentially help him out on the field, something he has been doing since a young age.

“I’ve been watching the defensive lineman since I was in seventh grade,” he said. “I watch the get-offs and the moves, so I know what to do in different situations.”

WeAreSC will have an update from Armstead immediately following his official visit this weekend.