Keep An Eye On Hopewell 8th Grader James Armstrong

College football programs would rarely begin extending offers to high school freshmen even just a few years ago, let alone middle schoolers, but the times have changed.

Today, Pitt extended an offer to 8th grader Cameron Fuse from Avon Park, Fla.

If you have D-I talent, schools are no longer waiting, they’ll extend you the offer just to show there’s legitimate interest and lay the foundation for a future relationship.

Here in Western Pennsylvania, we’ve seen plenty of eighth and ninth graders receive major offers. For example, Pitt extended offers to Jance Henry (Central Valley), Larry Moon (Aliquippa), Khalil Taylor (Seton LaSalle), Gabriel Jenkins (Imani Christian Academy), Kemon Spell (McKeesport), Carter Bonner (Imani Christian Academy) and Armand Hill (West Mifflin) while they were in eighth or ninth grade.

The WPIAL is loaded with young talent, so you’ll continue to players receiving D-1 offers at an early age.

If you’re looking for a name to keep an eye on that becomes the next WPIAL player to receive major interest early, remember the name James Armstrong, an eighth grader from Hopewell High School.

Armstrong is a three-sport star who excels in football, basketball and baseball for the Vikings. While Armstrong (6-foot-1, 195 pounds) is bigger and faster than nearly any other kid he competes against, the talent that he possesses isn’t random. Anyone who knows him knows the hard work that he’s put in over his early years to excel on the field.

There’s no question that Armstrong, if he decides to play football after high school, is a D-I athlete. And while it’s still too early to focus on this now, he’ll have to eventually make a decision on what sport he wants to play in college (football, basketball or baseball).

Hopewell Sports Nation

In terms of football, Armstrong has a cannon for an arm. He possesses elite quickness, allowing him to scramble from the pocket as a quarterback or to get in the opposing backfield when he’s playing defensive end. It’s lofty praise, but there are glimpses of Josh Allen in his game.

Considering how aggressive D-I schools have been in offering young players, it’s a bit surprising that Armstrong doesn’t already have his first D-I scholarship offer.

It’s coming and likely could happen this upcoming season as he begins to play on the varsity team.

One person who knows Armstrong very well is his head coach over the last few years, former Pitt Panther defensive tackle Craig Bokor.

“James Armstrong has been in the spotlight since he began playing sports in second grade – not only because of his size and stature — because of his personality that matches his measurements,” Bokor said. “James is a generational athlete who earns every opportunity that is given to him. When he isn’t working hard on the diamond, on the court or on the field he is working on his body and building his will inside the weight room.

“Anytime James steps on a field of play he is the best player on the field. James is very coachable and is willing to learn the game and not just play it. He is a great friend and a leader. His peers hang on to his every word and action. If handled correctly, he will be the next great/high profile athlete to come out of Hopewell on the level of Shell, Poz and Dorsett.”

James Armstrong 8th grade QB Highlights pt1
Hopewell Vikings football 6-0-1#football @AveryBokor2 @HopewellSNation @HopewellVikesFB pic.twitter.com/Ytfms64UxB

— James “Booboo” Armstrong (@Armstrong_Qb) January 9, 2024

On the baseball field, Armstrong is a standout left-handed pitcher and has a bat with a lot of pop. He’s highly regarded that even with his prowess on the gridiron, his future may just be on the baseball diamond.

Armstrong currently plays for Hopewell Junior High basketball coach and Beaver County Hall of Famer Doug Biega and the Vikings junior high basketball program, where the Vikings just finished a 15-1 season.

It’s hard to receive a better endorsement than Armstrong received from his basketball coach.

“I have said, for the last two years, I view James Armstrong as a generational talent,” said Biega. “Kids like him don’t come around every day. Not just his size but he has tremendous speed for that size. My favorite part about him is he is the hardest worker at every practice. It is very rare. Throughout my 30 years of coaching, I have seen many ultra-talented athletes not reach their potential. As long as James continues to work hard and remains coachable, he should not fall victim to that path.”

Knowing the structure that Armstrong receives at home, that will happen.