Arik Armstead to Oregon: Ducks Land Star DE Prospect

Arik Armstead, a standout prospect from Pleasant Grove High School in Elk Grove, California, has chosen to play his college ball for the Oregon Ducks, according to Joe Davidson of the Sacramento Bee.

Armstead is a top-shelf prospect as both a defensive end and as an offensive tackle. Rivals.com has him rated as the No. 6 defensive end in the country, and Scout.com has him rated as the No. 1 tackle in the country.

Player Ranking/High School Accomplishments

Overall, ESPNU has Armstead rated as the No. 83 prospect in the nation. He originally committed to USC in 2010, the same year he was named League Lineman of the Year. He is also a standout basketball player.

Final College Choices: Auburn, Cal, Notre Dame, Oregon, Washington, USC, UCLA

What Armstead Brings

More than anything, what the Ducks are getting is a tremendous athlete. As a tackle, Armstead has the size, strength and athleticism to play left tackle. As a defensive end, his size will make him a tough assignment for every tackle in the Pac-12. The Ducks are getting a big puzzle piece no matter where they choose to play him, but Steve Montoya of MaxPreps.com says the team will use him on the defensive line.

Why Armstead and Oregon Are a Good Fit

Assuming Armstead does end up on Oregon's D-line, the Ducks are going to have a killer pass rush threat. That's something recent Ducks teams have lacked, so Armstead's presence is a big-time upgrade.

Projected 2012 Impact

Don't be surprised if Armstead starts right away. The Ducks will once again look to make a run at a BCS National Championship in 2012, and Armstead can help them get there.