Da Saturday Scout: Dorance Armstrong, Pass Rusher, Kansas

Player: Dorance Armstrong, Edge/DE, Kansas

Game: Home vs. Oklahoma (#3), 2:30 PM CT

Video Highlights

Quick video because, hell, he plays for Kansas.

What They’re Saying

Not much has gone well for the Jayhawks on the gridiron in recent years, but every now and then, they produce a legit NFL prospect destined for the early rounds. Armstrong is this year’s installment, and despite a dip in production so far this year from his impressive 2017 numbers (20 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks), the 6-4, 246-pounder has flashed the kind of versatility and explosiveness NFL scouts will love.

From KU Sports blog:

Bleacher Report’s draft analyst Matt Miller loves what he’s seen on tape of Armstrong. He called KU’s star defensive end, “one of my favorite athletes in the entire class. The dude is long-armed, extremely quick and has the moves to beat tackles off the edge…In his preseason Top 25 Big Board of draft-eligible players, Miller ranks Armstrong 18th overall — the fourth-highest defensive end.

From the sometimes-reliable Walter Football:

10/21/17: In 2017, Armstrong has 35 tackles with 5.5 for a loss, one sack, one forced fumble and a pass batted. Sources have said they continue to be impressed by Armstrong. He is a fast edge defender with very good athleticism. He also sees lots of double teams with plays going away from him.

I Think

First, the Bears need help in the pass rush department. Outside of Leonard Floyd they don’t have a guaranteed starter at the position in 2018. Armstrong’s athletic freak that profiles as either a 4-3 end or 3-4 edge rusher. He will certainly will impress Ryan Pace on tape.

Second, I love him “calling out” his Kansas teammates for not giving a shit after going scoreless in consecutive weeks against Iowa State and TCU:

“I’m not going to call anybody out, but you just can kind of look at people and just tell that they don’t care as much as some people do,” said the 6-foot-4 junior defensive end.

“I can feel people losing sight of what it was supposed to be. Maybe they’re not into as much as they were when they first got here, but you can definitely see it and feel it.”

To be fair, Armstrong insisted he hasn’t lost faith or hope. “Not at all.”

Great players transcend bad programs. Armstrong isn’t quite 2001 Julius Peppers but if you’ve suffered through a Kansas football game you’ve noticed number 2.

Why Watch This Week

Kansas is playing an Oklahoma team that (a) is trying to win a national title and (b) is going to use this week to prop up their quarterback for the Heisman. That means expect Baker Mayfield to try and load up the stat page, giving Armstrong plenty of opportunities to get in the backfield and make a statement in what will surely be a lopsided, losing effort. I’ll be watching.