Armstrong 'soaks up' Hogs' pro day

He went through running back drills and had unofficial results of 15 reps bench pressing 225 pounds, a 33 1/2-inch vertical, 10-foot broad jump, 4.75-second 40-yard dash and 4.48-second 20-yard shuttle.”I kind of went in (to the combine) with a chip of my shoulder,” TeSlaa said. “Obviously, I’ve always had to believe in myself. I know my athleticism. I obviously didn’t know about the RAS score or whatever they’re calling it, but it’s cool to see how I ranked in that.”Ja’Quinden Jackson said he has heard most frequently from the Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Commanders and Arizona Cardinals. An ankle injury limited him for part of last year’s SEC schedule, but he said it is feeling “better than ever.”Arkansas had most of its current team cycle through the pro day to cheer on participants. Measurements began at 9:30 a.m. and position drills concluded shortly after noon.Plenty of buzz surrounded defensive end Landon Jackson, who is projected to be an early round draft selection. He had an unofficial 20-yard shuttle drill time of 4.55 seconds and participated in defensive lineman drills Monday.All five former Arkansas players who attended the NFL Scouting Combine from Feb. 27 to March 3 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis — Armstrong, Eric Gregory, Isaac TeSlaa, Ja’Quinden Jackson and Landon Jackson — were at pro day.His ascension included transferring to Arkansas and becoming the SEC’s receiving yards leader with 1,140 as a senior in 2024.TeSlaa has helped his draft stock with impressive showings at the combine and in the Senior Bowl. He had a 9.97 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) at the combine, the 11th best out of 3,441 receivers from 1987-2025.”It’s been like (that) my whole life,” Armstrong said. “It’s always been like, ‘Oh, he can’t do it. Oh, he might not be able to do it at this level.’ But that’s just people’s opinions. At the end of the day, when I do get the chance to get there and do what I have to do, I’m just playing Andrew Armstrong football.””Obviously, it’s more about how you play on the football field than how your athleticism is,” TeSlaa said. “But I feel like I helped myself a lot at the combine, and it went really well for me.”It was a morning of hoping to impress NFL scouts with his performance, but the receiver also wanted to celebrate the occasion. His immediate family was there to watch him go through drills.Gregory went through defensive lineman drills along with unofficial results of a 27 1/2-inch vertical, 4.64-second 20-yard shuttle and 7.72-second three-cone drill.Other participants were defensive back/linebacker Anthony Switzer; defensive backs Doneiko Slaughter, Hudson Clark, Jayden Johnson, Kee’yon Stewart and Marquise Robinson; receiver Tyrone Broden; kickers Kyle Ramsey and Matthew Shipley; and defensive linemen Anton Juncaj and Keivie Rose.At the combine, Landon Jackson recorded a vertical jump of 40 1/2 inches, the best mark among all 20 defensive ends invited. His broad jump of 10 feet, 9 inches placed him second at the position.The receiver has been training at X3 Performance and Physical Therapy in Fort Myers, Fla.”It’s been a long journey,” Ja’Quinden Jackson said. “But I’ve enjoyed it. If I would’ve never went through the stuff I went through, I wouldn’t be here now. It’s a blessing to be here in these shoes, and it’s a lot of people in the world that don’t get this opportunity.””Nerves weren’t really bothering me or (anything) today, just because I knew I was more than prepared,” said Jackson, who began his training Dec. 9. “I really enjoyed the opportunity, really loved being back and really loved seeing all the guys.”Despite his impressive season, the receiver has been left off some mock draft boards.”My whole life, that’s been my dream, to get to the NFL,” Armstrong said. “The (NFL) combine comes with it. Being in the SEC and playing at Arkansas comes with it. That’s just been my dream, just grinding to get here when a lot of people said you couldn’t.””Over half the current team right now is out here supporting us,” Landon Jackson said. “That’s just great. You don’t see it a lot of places.”Armstrong did not take it for granted. He began his career trying out at a camp to play for Texas A&M-Commerce (now known as East Texas A&M) — then a Division II program.Armstrong was one of 17 participants at pro day, which had scouts from all 32 NFL teams in attendance at Walker Pavilion.Another participant, 2024 Olympics discus throw gold medalist Roje Stona of Jamaica, participated in the Arkansas pro day for a second consecutive year.Armstrong and running back Ja’Quinden Jackson have both been training in Frisco, Texas.It was another chance for TeSlaa, who only participated in receiver drills Monday, to show off his athleticism.Jackson said he has talked with the Buffalo Bills “probably eight times by now,” and that roughly 15 of the 25 teams in communication with him have reached out multiple times.”I feel like I had a great day at the combine, but I feel like I had an even better day here,” Armstrong said. “Getting in and out of breaks, dropping hips, tracking the ball, all those little, small detail things, I feel like I did a great job here.””I think I performed great,” he said. “I jumped really well on vertical and broad, ran a solid (40-yard dash). I thought it was going to be a little quicker, but I mean, you can’t complain about (4.68 seconds) ever. And then I did really well in position drills as well, so I think it went great.”Armstrong participated in the 40-yard dash and clocked an unofficial 4.5 seconds Monday. He also went through receiver drills, which Arkansas starting quarterback Taylen Green threw.FAYETTEVILLE — Andrew Armstrong made certain to “soak up” the moment Monday after going through the University of Arkansas football program’s pro day.