Arkansas’s Fayetteville — After scoring five touchdowns in 2023, Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Andrew Armstrong topped the SEC in receiving this season with 1,140 yards but just one touchdown.
The Texas native’s performance against probably some of the SEC’s top opponents has given him a lot of positive hype going into the NFL Draft.
After graduating from Bishop Dunne High School in the Dallas area, Armstrong started his rise to become the SEC’s finest receiver, but as a prospect, FBS teams gave him very little attention.
He joined Texas A&M-Commerce in 2019 and played as a redshirt throughout the season. In 2020, his school canceled its season because of COVID-19.
As a third-year freshman in 2021, he unexpectedly increased his output, recording almost 300 yards and three touchdowns.
Late in his athletic development, Armstrong made amazing progress as a redshirt sophomore in 2022, catching 62 receptions for 1,062 yards and 13 touchdowns.
At six feet four, he is among the tallest wide receivers among prospective draft picks, but according to NFL Draft Buzz, his 40-yard sprint time of 4.5 seconds places him in the 23rd percentile for speed.
He is among the prospective draft selections from Arkansas who stand to gain the most from the NFL Draft combine, which takes place from February 27 to March 2.
Andrew Armstrong, a wide receiver for the Arkansas Razorbacks, signals a first down against the Oklahoma State Cowboys. / Craven Whitlow -Hogs on SI Pictures
The gauntlet, sideline toe-tap, shoulder adjustment, and 40-yard sprint are among the activities that will put Armstrong to the ultimate test and determine whether or not he is a good pick.
He had one of the greatest verticals of any Razorback last summer, measuring 38.8 inches, and he would have had one of the highest in the 2024 combine.
Armstrong is still a capable receiver at the next level despite not scoring as many touchdowns as he had hoped as a senior. He has excellent route running skills, sticky hands, and the ability to fight through contact to complete receptions.
Armstrong has a 62 in run blocking and is willing to block downfield as the NFL shifts toward teams with a greater run focus.
With 18 contested receptions, he tied for fifth place nationwide. Pro Football Focus ranked him third among NFL draft prospects with an 89.4 grade, making him one of the league’s more sought-after receivers.
Unfortunately, that isn’t the case; NFL Draft Buzz ranks him at No. 279, just outside the 256-pick draft, while PFF places him outside the top 300.
It’s expected that Landon Jackson and Ja’Quinden Jackson will be selected in this year’s draft. Of all the Arkansas prospects, Armstrong stands to gain the most since his possible combine performance and talks with potential teams will be crucial in providing Arkansas with three picks—the Razorbacks’ highest since 2022.
