Elk Grove (CA) Pleasant Grove HS defensive lineman Armond Armstead continues to show why he is one 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.”

Armond’s father Guss was also in attendance for the event, and came away with a better sense of where his son currently is at and where he needs to be heading into the summer.

“I thought he did really good,” Guss commented. “He was still nursing a knee injury, but you could tell he was out there doing his thing.”
“Armond is playing basketball right now, so he’s staying in shape that way too. It (basketball) helps him so much with football with agility and his flexibility, and he is also working with his trainer Greg Howard.”

Armstead is certainly hard at work, and is looking to be as prepared as possible for his arrival at USC in the summer, where he hopes to make an immediate impact.

“I talked to guys like Sedrick Ellis and Lawrence Jackson on my visit,” said Armond. “And they just told me to come in and work hard, and nothing is out of reach. I just have to be prepared to work.”

On top of basketball, Armstead is beginning a multi-step process that will aim to shape his body heading into the summer.
“He’s working out with his trainer a few times a week,” said Guss. “We’re working now on his abs and explosion, and we keep working on different aspects of the body trying to prepare him for the next level.”

Armond is currently averaging around 16 points and 10 rebounds a game for Pleasant Grove, showing that his skill set extends far beyond the gridiron.