A year ago, Ira Armstead II became the first Eastern Illinois player to play on both sides of the ball in a game in several years. (Photo by Sharna Wilkerson)
By Dan Verdun
CHARLESTON – Ira Armstead II studies organizational development with a minor in business administration at Eastern Illinois University. It’s a major that serves him well on and off the field.
“You study organizations and how they function from top down and the bottom to the top. There’s the tunnel between the CEO and those under him down to the workers, and how they cooperate,” Armstead told Prairie State Pigskin. “It has to do with ethics and other business decisions.”
Armstead certainly knows something about decision-making.
Four years ago, the South Bend (Ind.) Adams High School standout was a three-star quarterback who weighed several offers before ultimately committing to the University of Virginia. He showed potential of becoming the type of dual-threat QB coaching staffs desire.
However, once at Virginia, Armstead also spent time at receiver as the Cavaliers tried to figure out ways to utilize his skill set.
Armstead appeared in four of Virginia’s first five games in 2020 before suffering an injury. He wound up redshirting the rest of the season.
After two seasons in Charlottesville, Armstead entered the transfer portal. He signed with Eastern Illinois with every intention of returning to quarterback full-time.
“Ira was a national recruit out of high school as a quarterback,” EIU head coach Chris Wilkerson said. “Coming out of (fall) camp last year, I talked to him about playing another position and he said, ‘Coach, I just want to play.’”
Wilkerson and his staff moved Armstead to wide receiver but later transitioned him to defensive back late in the season as injuries mounted for the Panthers. He also played on special teams.
‘A dark place’
Armstead admitted those days were not easy for him.
“When I came (here), I was a quarterback. I thought my whole identity centered around being a quarterback,” he said. “Honestly, it was kind of a dark place (when I first switched positions). All I ever played in high school was quarterback. That’s what I wanted to play in college. I wanted to go to the NFL and be a quarterback. I went into a dark place transitioning to receiver.”
How did Armstead finally come to accept the moves?
“I prayed about it. God told me, ‘Just switch. I got you,’” he said.
Wilkerson marvels at the 6-foot-4, 230-pound Armstead.
“He has aspirations of being able to play on Sundays (in the NFL),” Wilkerson said. “I have no doubt in my mind he has that ability. He’s probably one of our most freakish athletes on the team. Extremely low body fat percentage. Extremely twitchy and fast and quick with strength.
“He did some very good things there (at receiver). He got much more involved in the special teams; he returned some kicks and covered some kicks. Once we realized he wasn’t afraid of contact, (the move to defense made sense). He continued to show a physical presence and an edge.”
A new position
After multiple discussions, the EIU staff developed a new plan for Armstead.
“Now we’re moving him down closer to the box to what we call our Fox position,” Wilkerson said.
Armstead explained his new defensive spot.
“Fox is basically like a nickel/outside linebacker,” he said.
The move forces Armstead to make decisions on the fly.
“I’m the apex player, which means I’m in conflict all the time,” he said.
Room for growth
Both the coaches and Armstead realize it’s a work in progress.
Defensive coordinator Clay Bignell said that Armstead “missed a lot time” in the spring with a hamstring injury.
“Things happen a lot quicker closer to the ball. He’s done a great job picking it up and handling the adjustments and communication from the safeties. All that just takes reps.
“He’s a great leader. He’s a pro. He’s played big-time football at Virginia. He’s getting comfortable at his new spot and really starting to flourish.”
Armstead incorporates his academic side into his athletic side.
“This off-season I just worked on my performance and building relationships with my teammates and coaches. One of my goals was to get a 4.0 in the classroom, and I did that. I also got an ‘A’ in my summer class,” he said.
It also led to a change on the roster. After wearing No. 98 at Virginia and No. 19 last season at EIU, Armstead’s jersey number will be 0 this fall.
“I believe all of (my off-the-field) accomplishments allowed me to get the number zero. To have a single digit is really important (to me). You have to earn the single digits here,” he said.
Armstead also knows the learning and work are far from done.
“I played offense so long,” he said. “With defense, you have to react off your keys. If you stare at the quarterback like in backyard football, everything is going to go bad.
“Sometimes you have to be really, really, really patient but other times (you) just hone in on what your keys are and react in the right way.”
Continuing education
The redshirt junior also uses another component of his major – communication. He meets regularly with outside linebackers coach Andrew Brady.
“I always go in and talk to him. I meet with Coach Wilk. They (both) tell me what I need to do and how I’ll be used in certain situations,” he said.
Armstead also noted the importance of teammates Nijhay Burt and Nick Coates with his transition.
“They embraced me, welcomed me with open arms,” he said. “They easily could have said, ‘No, we’re competitors (for playing time), so we’re not going to help you.’ But they were just the opposite. Those are my brothers. We continue to work together every day. I continue to pick their brains and they continue to feed me knowledge.”
Armstead knows nothing worthwhile is given or comes easily. He also knows he has what it takes to achieve his goals.
“I’m blessed with size, strength and speed. I use that to my ability every time on the field, but I have things to work on such as technique,” he said. “As I get more reps, I’ll be better all around.”
His days as a quarterback remain part of his fabric, one that he still calls upon in his new environment.
“As a quarterback, you have to know what all 22 players are doing. So, that’s helped me know what a defense is trying to do and how they’re trying to attack the offense,” Armstead said. “I flipped it now that I’m on defense. I have to figure out how they’re attacking us. I also have to know what the other (defensive) guys are doing as well. I just have to put my piece into that puzzle.”
Dan Verdun is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin. He has written four books: NIU Huskies Football, EIU Panthers Football, ISU Redbirds Football and SIU Salukis Football.
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