Oregon recruiting: it’s a race for Arik Armstead, and coaches are swappin’ paint

Arik Armstead is one of the most sought after high school football players in the country, and the reason is simple: he has the ability and desire to physically dominate the man in front of him and devour the ball carrier or the quarterback. He’s 6-8, 280 and agile enough to dunk a basketball.

Armstead is down to his final four, said to include Notre Dame, Auburn, Cal and Oregon. Chip Kelly has an in-home visit on Thursday, with Signing Day just a week away.

Scouting notes:

Good lateral movement, prodigiously strong. just shoves people around, extends his arms and punches them to the ground. Must improve his balance. Can square up in the hole like a linebacker. First three steps are plenty quick. Jim Radcliffe and Jerry Azzinaro would make him a NFL player in three years, but he’ll have success wherever he goes.