Oregon Football Recruiting: Ducks Offer Arik Armstead Best Chance at Title

Auburn, Notre Dame, Washington and California were the frontrunners to land star lineman Arik Armstead early on, but Oregon, led by head coach Chip Kelly, now appears to be making a run for him.

According to Greg Biggins of ESPN, Kelly will pay a visit to Armstead at 2 p.m. PST on Thursday in hopes of convincing the No. 24 recruit in the class to choose the Ducks.

At 6'8", 285 pounds, Armstead is the type of recruit who would do well with Oregon. He can play on the offensive line or defensive line, but he's generally regarded as settling in as a defensive lineman in college.

Led by Kelly, the Ducks were an explosive offense in 2011, scoring 46.1 points per game behind running back LaMichael James and quarterback Darron Thomas. Sure, both these players are headed into the NFL draft this year, but don't forget running backs Kenjon Barner and De'Anthony Thomas, who excelled in backup roles last season. The losses of James and Darron Thomas are hard to swallow for the Ducks, but they should still be one of the top-scoring teams in 2012.

In that regard, adding a defensive impact player like Armstead could boost them within range of favorites LSU and Alabama next season. While Auburn is a strong SEC program and Washington is thought to be a rising program, Oregon still gives Armstead the best chance to win a championship.

It all depends on what the Elk Grove, Calif., recruit ultimately wants. Remember, his brother, Armond, chose USC in part because it was close to home. Will Armstead follow in his brother's footsteps and sign with Cal? It's still a possibility.

It also must be said, though, that Oregon is closer to home than Auburn, Notre Dame or Washington, and when Kelly spurned the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason, that may have changed Armstead's thinking.

Armstead has the explosiveness, strength and quickness to be a star on the defensive line. Combined with Oregon's offense, Armstead has to be wondering what he could accomplish with the Ducks.