Dual-Threat Quarterback Ira Armstead Commits To Virginia

By: Chris Horne |

Virginia football has its first quarterback commitment in the class of 2020. Adams (South Bend, IN) dual-threat signal caller Ira Armstead took to Twitter to announce his pledge to head coach Bronco Mendenhall and company on Saturday (June 22), the final day of his official visit at UVA.

“First off I wanna thank God for blessing me everyday and blessing me to be able to play this sport that I love,” Armstead wrote in the tweet below. “I want to thank my Mom, Dad, and Sister for being huge influences on my life and decision. I want to thank Coach Beck, Coach Mendenhall, and the rest of the Coaching staff for believing in me and my talents to play at the next level. I also want to thank all my supports for having my back and cheering me on. With that being said I will like to announce my Commitment to the University of Virginia. #GOHOOS #THORTERBACK #AG2G”

An impressive athlete, the 6’3”, 198-pound Armstead posted a 4.55-second 40, a 4.21-second shuttle, and a 35.9-inch vertical leap at The Opening Regional in Ohio earlier this spring. He utilized that speed and athleticism while rushing for 1,104 yards his junior season. Armstead posted 2,202 yards passing and amassed 30 touchdowns as well last season, which was just his second year as a full-time quarterback.

Virginia offered the 2018 First-Team All-Northern Indiana Conference selection on June 1. He promptly scheduled an official to Charlottesville and made no secret of his affinity for the Cavaliers, calling UVA his “favorite” in this June 6 EDGE article.

In addition to the coaches, who Armstead described as “very welcoming and honest, which I love,” Virginia emerged quickly as the favorite in part because of the tremendous success Bryce Perkins enjoyed last season.

Armstead had the dual-threat abilities Mendenhall wants at the quarterback position. ~ Photo courtesy of Armstead’s Twitter account

“I watched Bryce Perkins and, yes, his play impacted my interest because we play the same and as you can see it works,” Armstead wrote.

Armstead arrived in Charlottesville this Thursday for his official visit. Obviously, the 3-star standout saw all he needed to see to commit to the Cavaliers over offers from Toledo and Western Michigan, among others, and interest from Iowa. UVA gets another promising dual-threat signal caller in its pipeline and now has eight pledges in the class of 2020.

“I feel my strengths are my competitive edge, my leadership, athleticism, and I refuse to lose,” Armstead wrote when asked what his strengths are as a quarterback. He is working with Bill Reagan of Top Gun Quarterback Training this offseason.

Virginia Football’s 2020 Class

– Ira Armstead, Dual-Threat Quarterback, Adams (South Bend, IN)
– Sam Brady, Linebacker/Athlete, North Lincoln (Denver, N.C.)
– Jahmeer Carter, Defensive Lineman, Archbishop Spalding (Severn, MD)
– Jimmy Christ, Offensive Lineman, Dominion (Sterling, VA)
– Ja’Darius Clark, Defensive Back, Alexandria (LA)
– Lavel Davis Jr., Wide Receiver, Woodland (Dorchester, S.C.)
– Donovan Johnson, Safety, Helen Cox (Harvey, LA)
– Jestus Johnson, Offensive Lineman, Gonzaga College (Washington, D.C.)