BEVO BEAT
Top opponents for Texas in 2017, No. 17: Kansas DE Dorance Armstrong, Jr.
Posted August 16th, 2017
The countdown to kickoff is on. Over the 100 days before Texas takes on Maryland, we’re counting down the 100 best players the Longhorns will face in 2017. This series is all about impressing your friends at pregame tailgates and watch parties, so grab a notepad and buckle up.
Who is he?
At Big 12 media days last month, Kansas coach David Beaty called it a “miracle” that Dorance Armstrong Jr. is a Jayhawk. Looking at what Armstrong has done since coming to Lawrence, it’s hard to argue with Beaty. Players at Kansas just don’t earn titles like Big 12 preseason defensive player of the year, which Armstrong did heading into 2017. The 6-foot-4, 246-pound junior out of North Shore in Houston is making his name known at a place where football is often forgotten.
Armstrong put up eye-popping numbers as a sophomore in 2016. He had 10.0 sacks, and his 20.0 tackles for loss were the fifth-most in the FBS. He ended up with 56 total tackles. Of all the talented pieces on the Kansas roster, Armstrong is the one who will make you believe the Jayhawks are on the upswing.
What should the Longhorns watch for?
Texas and its fans are well aware of Armstrong. He had a career day as Kansas upset Texas last season, with a forced fumble, fumble recovery and 2.0 sacks on his way to earning Big 12 defensive player of the week. What’s striking about Armstrong isn’t just his edge-rushing ability, but the sheer force he generates after ditching a blocker. All quarterbacks have time to do when they see him coming is brace for impact — and often there isn’t even time for that.
#Kansas Tweets: Guess who
DORANCE ARMSTRONG with the hit! pic.twitter.com/jwXK2tqjVH https://t.co/jzxkQU3QTc
— Kansas Notes (@kansasnotes) October 13, 2016
Past encounters
As mentioned above, Armstrong had the best game of his career at Texas’ expense last season. He finished with 11 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. In 2015, he made three tackles and batted away three passes while wearing No. 46.
Catch up on the series
No. 18: Jordan Thomas
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