More Offers Coming

"Coach Nick Holt (USC defensive coordinator) and coach David Watson (defensive line) said they really like me and think that I could play for USC (the Trojans are recruiting him for defense)," Armond Armstead said after attending the Trojans "Rising Stars" camp June 22-23. "They said they just need to convince the head coach (Pete Carroll)..."

Armond Armstead, the 6-foot-5, 290-pound three-star defensive tackle/tight end from Pleasant Grove High School in Elk Grove, Calif., finished his junior season with 79 tackles and five sacks. He benches 290 pounds, squats 390 and has a 30.5-inch vertical jump.

"I'm very athletic," Armstead said. "I play basketball too and that has helped my movement a lot. I'm also a lot stronger than most guys, so I can either overpower or outmaneuver most guys. I know how to use my strengths to my advantage.

"But I still want to improve my quickness and explosiveness," he said. "I'm still getting stronger and want to press guys off the line better. I don’t really have a preference for which position I'll play. Most schools are recruiting me for both."

Armstead, ranked No. 52 in the West by Scout.com, says he has approximately 10 scholarship offers, but denies a favorite. He has offers from Nevada, Fresno State, San Diego State, Nebraska, Texas A&M, Arizona, Arizona State and Washington.

Although he denies a favorite, he said he likes USC, UCLA, Arizona, Arizona State, Nebraska and A&M, naming the schools in that order. The Bruins and the Trojans haven't offered yet even though he has already attended both of their camps.

"Coach Nick Holt (USC defensive coordinator) and coach David Watson (defensive line) said they really like me and think that I could play for USC (the Trojans are recruiting him for defense)," Armstead said after attending the Trojans "Rising Stars" camp June 22-23. "They said they just need to convince the head coach (Pete Carroll).

"I did well at the camp and they said to call them on Monday (June 25) to see if they'll offer me or not. The UCLA camp went well too and I did a good job. They said that they just need to get my grades and I just faxed those over this weekend. I think they'll offer."

Although he doesn't plan on going to any other camps, he will spend his summer taking unofficial visits. "I probably won't begin to narrow things down until after I visit a few schools," Armstead said. "I plan to visit Arizona, Arizona State, Nebraska and A&M for sure.

"A&M is recruiting me the hardest and their defensive line coach (Stan Eggen) is one of my favorite people," he said. "He's really energetic and they seem to like me a lot. I have a great relationship with him."

Having a good relationship with the coaches is very important to Armstead. "I'd love to play for a coach who is known for developing players."

"I like Nebraska because they have great tradition and won a lot of national championships," he said. "I'm eager to see what it's like there. I've heard it's a great place for football."

Armstead indicated that he grew up following the Trojans. "When I was little, my Pop Warner coach, who went to USC, would always say to go to 'SC."

Armstead has stated previously that he intends to decide on August 3, his birthday.

He also plays basketball; however, he only plans on playing football in college. He plays power forward and center and averages 16 points and eight rebounds.

He reports a 2.9 core GPA and a 1600 SAT.