Don Ketchum
Former Staff Writer, AZPreps365.com

Idaho gets increase in speed with addition of Armstrong

February 1, 2012 by Don Ketchum, AZPreps365


By Don Ketchum

The University of Idaho just signed a player who might be the fastest player in school history even before he steps onto the football field.

He is Trae Armstrong, a running back from Glendale Deer Valley who made his commitment official on Wednesday (Feb. 1), the first day that players are allowed to sign letters-of-intent.

Armstrong was a large group of players who announced their signings at Majerle's Sports Grill in Chandler.

Armstrong rushed for 1,794 yards and 23 touchdowns as a senior.

He has been just as impressive on the track, where he won the 100- and 200-meter dashes in the state meet as a sophomore and the 100, 200 and 400 as a junior.

“I think they are going to try to get me in open space a lot,’’ said Armstrong of the Idaho coaches.

It also could mean using him as a slot receiver. Armstrong is good enough of an athlete to move back and forth between that spot and running back.

“You want to create mismatches. That can cause a lot of problems. It can be exciting,’’ Armstrong said.

Before you get the idea that Armstrong’s production might be affected by the colder weather up north, consider this – Idaho plays in a domed facility.

Armstrong made his decision on Dec. 22, and has not flinched on that choice.

He is a good student and said the school’s strength in academics was a factor.

“I felt comfortable all the way around,’’ Armstrong said. “They have a student-teacher ratio of about 16-1, and that’s something you don’t find at a lot of schools.’’

The next chapter awaits, but Armstrong , who will also compete in track at Idaho, will get to use his speed again for Deer Valley at the state meet in May.