Top Local Football Player Speaks With Sports Show - video 1           - video 2 TAKKLE Primetime Best HS Defensive Lineman- video USC Commitment/Workout   - video 2 USC Trojans Football: Spring Preview March 25th will mark the Trojans first spring practice and although expectations are high for Pete Carroll's squad, many questions loom. Pac-10 Signing Day dream team The Pac-10 Signing Day Dream Team is strong on defense, led by USC's stout defensive class of guys like Armond Armstead, Wes Horton and T.J. Bryant and other defenders like Oregon State-bound Simi Kuli, the nation's top... Southern Cal Inside Slant DT Armond Armstead, Elk Grove, Calif. -- Already has good size for an interior lineman (6-5, 290), and he had 88 tackles, including 11 sacks, as a senior in high school. Pete Carroll said he and his coaching staff were impressed with Armstead's intensity when he attended USC's summer camps.

Seven EGUSD athletes sign football scholarships

In a span of three seconds, the lives of seven young football players changed forever.

Each of the Elk Grove-area high school seniors, as well as their family, friends, coaches and teammates gathered inside the Robert L. Trigg Education Center in Elk Grove last Wednesday, in participation with the Elk Grove Unified School District’s third annual Letter of Intent Signing Day ceremony.
 

USC Signs 18 Players For 2008 Season.. Pete Carroll and his coaching staff hauls in another top 10 class.

LOS ANGELES-Eighteen high school football players signed letters of intent with 6-time defending Pac-10 champion USC, Trojan head coach Pete Carroll announced today.

Additionally, OL Matt Meyer of Lincoln High in Stockton, Calif. enrolled at USC in January as a freshman and will participate in next month's spring practice. DB Shane Horton transferred to USC in January from UNLV, where he started 6 games as a freshman in 2007, but will sit out the 2008 season due to NCAA transfer rules.

"This is a great class for us," said Carroll, whose Trojans went 11-2 last season with a Rose Bowl victory and have appeared in an NCAA-record 6 consecutive BCS bowls, posted 6 straight 11-win seasons and had 6 consecutive AP Top 4 finishes. "We put together this class with an eye on filling needs throughout our depth chart and we did so by signing some very talented football players."

 

Building the future: Signing Day 2008

Just like Christmas day, USC got quite a few presents Wednesday.

The Trojans officially received letters of intent from several high school players on Signing Day 2008, marking the start of promising USC careers for the prospects from across the state and country.

“We’re really excited about this class,” Coach Pete Carroll said. “The athleticism all around is remarkable and we can’t wait to see how they contribute right away in the fall.”
 

Trojans go big with recruits

Signing class lacks the usual skill position star power, but coach says USC got exactly what it needed on the line and elsewhere.

High school athletes ready to commit to colleges

The waiting, pondering – the recruiting – all of it ends today when high school football players declare their intentions and sign on the dotted line.

National letter-of-intent activities were to start at 7 this morning, with as many as 33 local players and their families, friends and coaches huddled around fax machines to ensure the paperwork is safely delivered.

It is the first day of the year that student-athletes can formally accept college scholarships, binding deals meant to provide education in exchange for touchdowns, tackles, leadership or depth on teams at colleges across the nation. Signatures help college programs form secure foundations for their future, gleaning the region's diverse talent.

Trojans at top of California state rankings USC is going to miss on the top prize in the state, but it did pull in stud linemen Matt Kalil and Tyron Smith and tight end Blake Ayles should be a big-time weapon for the Trojans. Kalil comes in at No. 2 in the state, Smith at No. 3 and Ayles at No. 5. The Trojans' dominance doesn't end there as defensive end Wes Horton comes in at No. 6 and defensive tackle Armond Armstead comes in at No. 7. 2007 All-State Football: First Team DL – ARMOND ARMSTEAD (PLEASANT GROVE, ELK GROVE) 6-5, 285, SR. Despite rarely facing single blockers, he worked his way to 77 tackles and 7.5 sacks and helped first team at Pleasant Grove with seniors reach the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I quarterfinals. Armstead also plays basketball and throws the discuss and shot put in track and field, which helped him be in fine form for the Stanford Nike Camp back in May. Since then, Armstead has verballed to attend USC, turning down Texas A&M, Washington and others. Armstead was named to the Sacramento Bee's All-Metro team among honors he's already received. If he gets a little bigger and stronger, he will be very effective at the next level as an interior defensive lineman. 2007 GSP All-Northern California FB Team Armond Armstead continues to show why he is one of the top defensive linemen Elk Grove (CA) Pleasant Grove HS defensive lineman Armond Armstead continues to show why he is oe of the top defensive linemen on the west coast, if not the entire country. Following a successful summer camp circuit and breakout senior season, Armstead traveled to Florida to take part in the annual Offense-Defense Bowl against some of the nation’s best. Armed with a chip on his shoulder regarding his future projections as an offensive lineman, Armstead was flat out unblockable. “I just went out there and wanted to show what I could do,” said Armstead. “I knew I had the ability, and going up against some of the top guys nationally gave me the chance to show that.” “Armstead was faced up against offensive linemen from all over the country, giving him the opportunity to assess where he is at as a player. There were a lot of good players out there,” he said. “It was really good to go out there and see how I stacked up with some of the other guys from different regions. I thought I did good.” Playing both defensive-end and defensive tackle, Armstead left the game winning the award for the most physical player throughout the entire week. “I was hurt the first day,” he admitted. “I knew I wasn’t 100%, but I just went out there and used all of the moves and techniques I’ve been taught. I would use a bull-rush on someone and then use my speed to get around other guys.”   2007 All-NorCal FB First Team DL Armond Armstead Pleasant Grove, Sacramento The USC-bound lineman carried over his summer success to his senior season, which saw Pleasant Grove win their first playoff game in school history. A first team defensive lineman by the Sacramento Bee and the lineman of the year in the Delta River League, Armstead notched team highs in tackles (77) and sacks (7.5) for the Eagles despite double teams.   Offense-Defense: Final Hot 11 Armond Armstead, DE, West Squad Armstead was right there with Liuget in terms of dominance and Armstead was doing it all week long. The West offensive linemen looked effective and capable in practice against every defender except Armstead. He has power and quickness and looked just as dominating on Friday night against the East squad as he did during practice. Like Liuget, Armstead has the versatility to move inside or outside and be equally dominating.

East capitalizes on mistakes to take O-D win

The low score at halftime was due in part to miscues and struggles in the inclement weather, but credit the defense for both teams, particularly the defensive line play. For the West Armond Armstead was all but unblockable, pressuring the quarterback, disrupting the running game and making tackle after tackle in the backfield. read entire story

Offense-Defense: Position Matchups

Armond Armstead has been one of the most dominating players at the Offense-Defense practices this on either team and his fellow defensive linemen Datone Jones and Everrette Thompson have also looked very good. On the East however, the defensive line has a host of players that can get the job done. Earl Okine, Keith Wells and Glenn Harbin are all very similar and very active players at defensive end. Corey Liuget is also a strong defensive end that can move down and play inside as well. Micanor Regis provides another active threat on the inside and adds to a deep and talented group. read entire story

Offense-Defense West Notebook: Possible starters

The defensive line will likely be made up of Datone Jones at right end, Trevor Guyton at right tackle and Armond Armstead at left tackle. The left defensive tackle spot is still up in the air, as Damien Holmes, Everrette Thompson and Chase Clement are competing for the starting role. read entire story

Offense-Defense: Best by Position

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

Armond Armstead, Elk Grove (Calif.) Pleasant Grove, USC Commit

Armstead was one of the most dominating players on either team over the course of practice week. He beat offensive linemen on bull-rushes, swim moves, quick slants and any other path he could find. He even was effective rushing the passer as an end.

Offense-Defense: West Expert's View

Armond Armstead, 6-4, 287, DT, Elk Grove (Calif.) Pleasant Grove

Assets: He is versatile because of his many skills and his size.
Needs improvement: He needs to dominate on a consistent basis.
What was most impressive: From his tackle position, Armstead slanted inside hitting the quarterback before he could hand the ball of. Just a play or two later at left end, he pressured the quarterback into an incompletion on a safe three-step drop pass.
Conclusion: Armstead will be an impact player at the next level regardless of position.

Pleasant Grove's Armstead wins national award

 

O/D All-American Bowl Preview: West

Armond Armstead (USC), Trevor Guyton (Washington), Tony Gillespie and Mandela Kazi will make things very strong up the middle on the front line and Armstead is someone who is athletic enough to also come off the edge and he may also see a little time at tight end as well. read entire story

Home Cookin': Orange Bowl trip a sweet sendoff