Rookie Spotlight: Ryquell Armstead, Temple University
Height: 5’11 1/8”
Weight: 223 lbs
Hands: 9 1/2″
Arm: 30 1/2″
40 yard dash: 4.54 (projected)
NFL Comparison: Doug Martin, CJ Anderson, Jonathan Williams

Pros
– short burst speed
– angry, dynamic rushing style
– excellent feet
– good balance

Cons
– wasn’t utilized much in the passing game
– questions about pass protection
– injury prone

Scouting Notes: Armstead is an exciting player to watch. He bursts out of line with aplomb like he was just shot out of a cannon, before plowing headlong down the field. His feet get high on every step, and perhaps that’s one of his strongest attributes – his quick feet for a big guy. Armstead is a violent runner, but he stays on balance most of the time despite that fact, falling forward at the end of his runs. I’m a little unsure of his hands as he wasn’t asked to catch many passes at Temple, and that’s one of the skills we’ll look for at the Senior Bowl. The biggest flaw in Armstead’s game is his inability to stay on the field. Injuries plagued his college career, and that’s a harbinger of doom for young players coming to the NFL. He’s a baller and a natural football player who was actually used on defense in Temple’s “prowler” package which featured him as a dime linebacker. Even in this role, he was effective, showing a nose for the football and excellent sideline-to-sideline speed at the position. Every special teams coach in the league will get fired up watching the versatility and toughness Armstead shows on film.

Fantasy Outlook: Armstead’s extensive injury history will undoubtedly cast a shadow on his draft potential, but he’s a strong, two-down zone runner who can fit well for a lot of teams. He’ll go in the later rounds, barring a really elite Senior Bowl and/or Combine showing. He’s not expected to have blazing speed, but his feet and prototypical body type, that will easily allow for extra muscle, should keep teams interested. His college coaches have also praised his competitive spirit, which I’m sure he’ll bring with him into whatever situation he lands in come April.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Like all rookie profiles, this one will continue to be updated through the draft process with intel as we acquire it. When applicable/available, these profiles will be supplemented with transcriptions of scouting combine interviews with the players following the event.

RELATED CONTENT:

– Hear Senior Bowl Director Jim Nagy’s analysis of Armstead in Episode 121 of the RosterWatch Podcast

FROM THE TEMPLE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT:

Honors: 2018 – Maxwell Player of the Week (Houston) … Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week (Houston) … AAC Offensive Player of the Week (Houston) … CFPA National Performer of the Week (Houston) … Pro Football Focus National Team of the Week (Houston) … College Sports Madness National Offensive Player of the Week (Houston) … ESPN Helmet Sticker (Houston) … Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll (Tulsa) … AAC Honor Roll (Tulsa, Boston College) … Temple Athletics Student Athlete of the Month (September) … Temple Athletics Student Athlete of the Week (Tulsa, Houston) … APEX Predator Offensive Player of the Game (Buffalo, Tulsa, Boston College, Houston) … #theSTANDARD Player of the Week (UCF, Houston) … Doak Walker Award Watch List … 2017 – APEX Predator Offensive Player of the Week (Army) … #the STANDARD Player of the Game (Houston, UConn, Army, Tulsa) … Doak Walker Award Watch List … 2016- All-American Athletic Conference Third Team (Phil Steele) … AAC Honor Roll (SMU, USF) … Offensive Production Player of the Week (SMU, USF) … Offensive Effort Player of the Week (UCF) … OwlSports.com Under Armour Student Athlete of the Week (SMU, USF)

Personal: Born Ryquell Keeman Armstead (pronounced: ra-KWELL) in Bridgeton, N.J. … parents are Tara Armstead and Rynell Lawrence … has a sister Rachell Armstead (20) – a hurdler on the Temple track field team – and brother Rynell Lawrence Jr. (17) … list of favorites include: SportsCenter (TV show), The Replacements (movie), and tacos (food) … adult and organizational development major.

“I tell you, he’s a complete player. He can catch the ball, he has really good vision, explosiveness. With him, it’s just a matter of getting touches, staying healthy and being fresh.” – RB coach Tony Lucas, 8/11/17

“Playing running back at this level, you are going to get hit a lot. So, he is just trying to make sure that he is taking care of his body and putting him in a position to play because he wants to play. He is one of the most competitive kids I have ever been around. So he wants to be out there with his teammates.” – HC Geoff Collins, 10/10/17