Kansas football: Dorance Armstrong proved he is NFL ready
By Stan Unruh
Former Kansas football standout Dorance Armstrong had a big weekend at the NFL Combine. Armstrong’s performance compares favorably to a Big 12 standout from last season.
The 2018 NFL Scouting Combine is history. Offensive linemen and running backs put on a show Friday followed by the prestigious quarterbacks Saturday. Former Kansas football standout Dorance Armstrong did not mind waiting until Sunday to show his stuff at the annual event. The Texas native had waited his whole life to show NFL scouts what he could do for them. He did not disappoint.
The draft combine is now a made for television event. The meat market features only invited prospects to perform a variety of tasks against the clock. It is fascinating, boring and the biggest athletic opportunity a young player’s life.
As a matter of fact, many Kansas football were disappointed in early January when Armstrong announced he was going to skip his senior season. After a less than spectacular 20217 season, I suggested Armstrong needed another year of Big 12 experience. Today’s student athletes have little patience. Armstrong’s performance at the weekend NFL combine showed he made the correct choice.
A year ago, an athlete similar in size to Armstrong and playing the same position performed at the combine. Jordan Willis of Kansa State was the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2016. Both Armstrong and Willis are 6-foot-4 and weigh 250-plus. Willis a 3rd round pick (73rd overall) just completed a fine rookie season with in Cincinnati. He didn’t earn a starting job but played in all 16 games for the Bengals.
Willis NFL combine workout was judged impressive. His 40-yard dash time was 4.53. Armstrong ran considerably slower at 4.87, according to his combine bio. Willis also topped Armstrong in the bench press 24-20 times.
Armstrong had a better final score
In the vertical jump, Willis outdistanced Armstrong 39-30. Last year’s first round NFL pick Myles Garrett ,who plays the same position, did a vertical jump of 41 during his combine performance.
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Armstrong did beat Willis’ effort in the 20-yard shuttle 4.23- 4.28. The former Jayhawk’s final score is also better than the former Wildcat 5.82- 5.84. That speaks volumes about Armstrong’s decision to leave college football behind. David Beaty and Jayhawk defensive coordinator Clint Bowen are going to miss Armstrong next season. He is more than ready for a successful NFL career.