Pleasant Grove defensive end
Armond Armstead was one of the fastest rising
recruits in Northern California prior to the Palo Alto
Nike Camp this past weekend. Now, after earning our
camp MVP honors, Armstead could be in line for the No.
1 ranking in the 2008 football rankings next week.
This was the first football camp of any kind for
Armstead and while he didn't think he would do very
well, he turned in a great performance that should
only increase his recruiting status.
"It was pretty exciting getting out there and
competing," Armstead said. "I won't be as nervous next
time I go to a camp."
His camp schedule isn't set yet, but Armstead said he
is looking at going to two to three camps, depending
on who shows the most interest.
Armstead has three offers from San Diego State, Nevada
and Fresno State, and is just waiting on the approval
of head coaches to get offers from Washington and
Arizona State.
He measured in at 6-foot-5 and 280 pounds on Saturday,
but said he wants to get down to the 265-270 range by
the end of the summer. It is this size though that has
many college coaches flocking to Pleasant Grove to get
the inside track on Armstead.
"He's really progressed over the last two years,"
Pleasant Grove head coach Joe Cattolico said. "He has
grown a lot physically and in terms of his
understanding of the game and using his techniques."
In the Eagles' 5-2 defense, Armstead plays defensive
tackle, but lines up over the offensive tackle, much
like an end would in the 3-4 defense, Cattolico said.
It is this versatility that made Armstead stand out
Saturday as he used his size and athleticism
effectively to beat some of the best linemen at the
camp during one-on-one drills, including McClymonds'
offensive tackle Allen Carroll, who Armstead didn't
know about until after the camp.
He also excelled in the agility drills, thanks in part
to the work done with his trainer Greg Howard, who has
a contract with SPARQ which allowed Armstead to work
on the drills beforehand.
His game translates nicely to that of Dallas Cowboys'
defensive end Marcus Spears with his versatility to
play either tackle or end and allows him to be
productive in any scheme. Expect Armstead to get
double-digit offers by the time he makes his
commitment.
