Three are gone, but one more remains. It was announced earlier today that safety Ray-Ray Armstrong will return for his senior year with the Miami Hurricanes. Armstrong was suspended a grand total of five games in 2011 and his return will help a defense – and secondary – which struggled tremendously last season.
Albert Armstrong, father of No. 26, confirmed the news Tuesday night.
“Of course he’s coming back. He loves Miami,” said the elder Armstrong. “He didn’t get the opportunity he needed personally this season to step out to the NFL. The [NCAA] suspension hurt. Of course we knew he was NFL-caliber talent and could go in one of those rounds, but we didn’t test the water. Didn’t pursue the NFL at all to see what his status would be. The plan all along was for him to come back, have fun and graduate.
“He’s excited about the opportunity to play again, get his degree and better himself all-around through coach Al Golden and his staff.”
Armstrong was projected to be a mid-third round pick had the safety declared this season and based on dad’s comments, that wasn’t good enough for Team Armstrong.
“If you go out early, you want to make sure you’re going to get drafted high,” said AA. “Now he’ll have that opportunity.”
Armstrong played in seven total games this season, finishing with 34 tackle, an interception and a fumble recovery. A tremendous athlete, Armstrong played quarterback and safety his senior year, leading Sanford Seminole High to a Class 6A title and was Miami’s top-rated signee in 2009.
IN OTHER NEWS : While Armstrong returns, conversation still swirls around Tommy Streeter, Marcus Forston and Lamar Miller, who all declared early. Tony Pauline, NFL Draft analyst for SI.com joined local radio personality Joe Rose on Wednesday morning to discuss the trio.
Regarding Miller, Pauline sees him as an early second rounder, citing a smaller body of work and team needs. Pauline expects Miller to go between selections 35 and 45.
Pauline sees Streeter as a second day pick – second or third round. A big athlete who will fight for the ball, but not a downfield guy, he sees Streeter as an underneath receiver and red zone target. Two underclassmen expected to go before Streeter, as well as a few other seniors. Depending on how fast Streeter runs at pro day, best case scenario would be second round.
As for Forston, he should get drafted based on 2009 film, the medical exam and pro day. Defensive line is a high priority position where teams will reach, but still Pauline sees Forston at best, going day three on in the later rounds.
When you read all that, you understand why Coach Golden made past comment about some guys possibly seeing themselves as better than they are. Family woes and personal issues aside, some guys left early for reasons bigger than football, but with no sure-first first rounder here for the Canes, you hate to see such a mass exodus.
Glad Armstrong chose to stay. Wish a few others would’ve followed suit, but based on the game being a business, you can’t fault them.
Any word on VT? Is he coming back?
Not to beat a dead horse, but this is the smartest decision the kid’s made his entire career.