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Notre Dame Football: 2017 Freshman Breakdown – Jafar Armstrong

By Kevin Sinclair

Sep 10, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly leads his team onto the field before the game against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 39-10. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly leads his team onto the field before the game against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 39-10. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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Notre Dame added a strong receiver with elite speed in Jafar Armstrong.

https://twitter.com/jafararmstrong3/status/825839164054708224

Jafar Armstrong – WR – 6’1, 205 lbs. – Mission, KS – Bishop Miege HS

With zero true wide receivers committed in their ’17 class, Notre Dame staff pushed hard to flip Jafar Armstrong from his commitment to Missouri.

The record holder for receiving yards for Bishop Miege High School (3,744) and career touchdowns receptions in Kansas State history (45) will bring great toughness and deep threat ability to the receiving core for the Irish.

Notre Dame received his last official visit. He had visited Minnesota the weekend before. DelVaughn Alexander spent a lot of time with him previous to, and during, his time on campus just before National Signing Day.

Armstrong held 247 Sports Composite rankings of #254 overall, #33 wide receiver and #1 in the state of Kansas.

Click here to see Jafar Armstong’s 247 profile

In his senior year, Armstrong tallied 1,277 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns on his way to his third straight state championship with Bishop Miege.

Click here to watch Armstrong’s senior Hudl highlight film

The first thing I notice on Armstrong’s film is that he’s very physically strong. He flat-out overpowers defenders in the running game and while running routes, especially in press coverage and jump balls.

Another impressive trait is his top speed. This allows him to be very effective in vertical routes, something Notre Dame will likely have him run early and often.

Due to his combination of size, strength and speed, Armstrong wins many one on one battles in high school and I expect him to continue doing so at the college level. Continuing developing physically in the S&C program at Notre Dame will maximize the traits he currently possesses.

He could end up being truly elite in a few areas of his game with a lot of hard work and top notch coaching from DelVaughn Alexander and Chip Long.

Projection

In his freshman year, I could see Armstrong working his way onto Special Teams. His speed could allow him to get down field quickly and allow him to be one of the first to reach the returner. It’s possible that he could see reps at receiver but I think they may want to develop him more first.

Down the road, I see Armstrong being a regular at the wide receiver position. Whether it will be at X or W remains to be seen and will depend on how he develops. I assume Notre Dame likes his vertical threat ability and will likely shape his game in that regard.

Must Read: 2017 Freshman Break Down - Jordan Genmark-Heath

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