Closer Look: Devontae Armstrong Plays With Power, Athleticism On The Interior

Devontae Armstrong was a First-Team All-Ohio selection on the offensive line last year as a senior at Lakewood St. Edward High School. He was a Third-Team pick as a junior. St. Edward has won three-straight state championships, thanks in large part to an offensive line that featured Armstrong and his twin brother Deontae.

Armstrong was ranked a three-star prospect as the No. 29 interior line prospect in the nation and the No. 444 player in the class overall. He was ranked the No. 18 player in Ohio. He signed with Ohio State over offers from Georgia, Michigan, Penn State, Florida, Wisconsin, and others.

What To Like

Devontae Armstrong has been part of a talented and consistent offensive line in his time at St. Edward, so he has an appreciation for the value of the unit. He is strong as an individual but also understanding of his importance as part of the offensive line.

Armstrong started the last two years at left guard and built a level of consistency that allows him to play with power and confidence at the point of attack. He finishes blocks and can move defenders wherever he wants them. You can see evidence of that in the clips below.

Ohio State freshman offensive guard Devontae Armstrong is powerful at the point of attack. pic.twitter.com/dqXnpMIoS6
— Tony Gerdeman (@TonyGerdeman) July 21, 2024

The Potential

Devontae Armstrong is comfortable pulling or getting outside for screens. He doesn’t just need to be blocking the guy directly across from him. He has the athleticism to move laterally and also to get upfield and find linebackers. You can see all of this in the clips below. He has the physical and mental drive to succeed on the offensive line, and the athletic ability to do whatever is asked of him.

Armstrong will get stronger and more experienced in time. The comfort level will rise. Like all offensive linemen, Armstrong will be much better equipped to make a push for playing time in a year or two. Things aren’t easy right now for any true freshman, but Armstrong was never expecting easy.

Devontae Armstrong is comfortable on the move. pic.twitter.com/9Gao3qbLUq
— Tony Gerdeman (@TonyGerdeman) July 21, 2024

The Expectations

A redshirt season is almost certainly going to happen for Devontae Armstrong this year. The Buckeyes have plenty of depth at guard, and freshmen generally redshirt anyway. It can take most offensive linemen until their third or fourth year to be ready to contribute as a true backup or starter.

Enrolling early helped get the ball rolling for Armstrong, but coming from such a run-heavy offense at St. Edward means that pass blocking could provide a noticeable learning curve. You can see a handful of pass-blocking reps below, though the pass rushers will be hitting much faster and harder in college.

Devontae Armstrong brings his physicality to pass blocking as well. pic.twitter.com/RR7IpTiKtF
— Tony Gerdeman (@TonyGerdeman) July 21, 2024

The Bottom Line

Ohio State offensive line coach Justin Frye has said in the past that the first year for an offensive lineman is spent learning how to play college football. The second year is spent learning how to play your position. The third year is finally playing your position. There is a progression for all players and that will be the case for Devontae Armstrong as well.

On the field and off the field there is a lot to like about Armstrong and the confidence is high that everything the coaches put in, they’ll get back out. Armstrong has that same approach, which will only help him in his attempt to reach all of the plans and milestones he has ahead of him.

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