Adams (South Bend, IN) rising senior quarterback Ira Armstead announced last week that he had received a scholarship offer from the University of Virginia. In the same tweet, the 6’3” prospect revealed he had scheduled an official visit to UVA beginning June 20.

“I scheduled an official visit because I want to see what Virginia is about and what the culture is about to see if it can be my home,” Armstead wrote in an interview via Twitter direct message.

“I want to find out what makes Virginia Virginia, and I want to know what the culture and success is like.”

Virginia has already made a strong impression on Armstead, who describes the Cavalier coaches as “very welcoming and honest, which I love.”

The Virginia coaches “treat me more than a product,” he continued.

Armstead, a playmaker as a passer and a rusher, noticed the success of another dual-threat quarterback – UVA starting quarterback Bryce Perkins – during the 2018 season. Perkins’ achievements while helping the Hoos to an 8-5 record and a Belk Bowl victory have helped on the recruiting trail.

“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.

Some schools see Armstead as a wide receiver or “athlete” prospect. Not Virginia head coach Bronco Mendenhall, who has stated since he took over as Cavalier head coach that his ideal is to have a dual-threat quarterback running his offense.

“The coach likes that I am a true dual-threat QB and feels that I will fit perfect into the system,” Armstead wrote.

Armstead calls Virginia his “favorite,” but he is also seriously considering Western Michigan (offer), Toledo (offer) and Iowa (no offer). Outside of the trip to Charlottesville, though, no other visits or camps are scheduled at this time.

Asked if there is a decision timetable, Armstead replied: “I plan on committing when the time is right, but at least before August.”

Armstead cruising into the endzone for a touchdown. ~ Photo courtesy of Armstead's Twitter account

An impressive athlete, Armstead posted a 4.55-second 40, a 4.21-second shuttle, and a 35.9-inch vertical while measuring in at 6’3”, 198 pounds at The Opening Regional in Ohio earlier this spring. Young in terms of experience at quarterback, he didn’t play the position full-time until his sophomore season. Completing 43% of his passes, he tallied over 1,400 yards passing and scored 12 touchdowns – 10 passing, two rushing – on his way to earning 2017 second-team All-Northern Indiana Conference honors.

After a strong offseason that included working with former Notre Dame quarterback Evan Sharpley, Armstead amassed 2,202 yards passing, rushed for 1,104 yards, and scored 30 total touchdowns in 2018. The Adams star earned first-team All-NIC honors for his junior season performance.

“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.

“What I like most [about playing quarterback] is that I have the ball in my hands every play. I like that I am the leader,” Armstead wrote. “When things go wrong or we are in a bad situation, I want to be the guy that gets us out of it or costs us the game. Either way, I want to be the guy.”

Meanwhile, Armstead is “still working on my mechanics and footwork.”

Playing football at a major college has been a goal “for as long as I can remember,” Armstead wrote. “My dad and I have been preparing for this for the longest. It is a huge relief to be able to accomplish this but it is all a part of my blessing.”

Armstead provided some input into what he is looking for from his future school both academically and athletically.

“For academics, I want the team to be full of hard-working individuals in the classroom, have a good GPA, and also have great professors who are willing to work with me and work as hard as me,” he wrote. “Athletically, I want to be around people who are committed and are on the same goal as me and love football. I want the coaches to help me and treat me as a son of their own.”