One of the nation’s top quarterback prospects in the 2028 class is ready to end his recruitment. James Armstrong, a four-star dual-threat QB from Aliquippa (Pa.) Hopewell, will announce his college decision on Thursday at 6 p.m.
The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Armstrong has emerged as one of the most coveted signal-callers in the country, holding more than two dozen scholarship offers from Power 4 programs . Ranked as the No. 18 quarterback in the nation by 247Sports and the No. 8 player in Pennsylvania, Armstrong’s recruitment has drawn interest from across the country .
Armstrong’s stock skyrocketed following an impressive sophomore season at Hopewell High School. He completed 125 of 207 passes for 2,232 yards, 21 touchdowns, and just three interceptions in 12 games. Perhaps even more dangerous with his legs, he rushed for 799 yards and 16 touchdowns, averaging 5.9 yards per carry .
The numbers built on a strong freshman campaign in which he threw for 1,344 yards and 10 touchdowns while rushing for 787 yards and 15 scores .
Several programs have positioned themselves as serious contenders for Armstrong’s commitment. Penn State, the in-state program, appears to have made a strong impression after Armstrong camped with the Nittany Lions last month and worked directly with quarterbacks coach Jake Waters .
“Working one-on-one when someone isn’t screaming or anything like that, which he didn’t do,” Armstrong said of Waters’ coaching style. “He was calm and I felt like I got great work in” .
Penn State’s pursuit is particularly notable given head coach Matt Campbell’s emphasis on securing in-state talent .
Florida State has also emerged as a significant player in Armstrong’s recruitment despite being outside his geographic footprint. After visiting Tallahassee for the Seminoles Showcase, Armstrong called FSU “definitely a contender” .
“I love it. I think the tradition and everything, all the coaches are just great,” Armstrong said of his FSU visit .
Auburn holds a special place in Armstrong’s recruitment, with the quarterback citing former Tigers star Cam Newton as his favorite player. Auburn is in Armstrong’s top four schools, according to a recent interview .
Other programs that have offered include Michigan State, Georgia, Kentucky, Pittsburgh, Duke, Colorado, UCLA, Wisconsin, Syracuse, and Ohio State, among others . Armstrong has visited multiple schools throughout the spring, including Penn State, Kentucky, Florida State, Pitt, and Ohio State .
Armstrong previously identified Penn State, Pitt, FSU, Auburn, and Duke as five schools standing out in his recruitment .
Armstrong’s announcement will take place Thursday evening, bringing an end to a recruitment that has captivated college football fans. As a class of 2028 prospect, he still has two seasons of high school football remaining before arriving on campus, but his commitment will provide his chosen program with a foundational piece for the future.
His decision will be closely monitored by programs across the country who view the strong-armed left-hander as a potential program-changing talent.
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