Armstrong packs on extra muscle in fall camp

One of Dorance Armstrong’s goals heading into 2016 was adding muscle to his lean frame. He arrived at Kansas weighing in the low 220 range. Hard work in the off-season saw that number move up even more.

Although it wasn’t planned August was a bonus month and now he is tipping the scales at the heaviest weight in his career.

Due to an injury in the first couple days of fall camp Armstrong was held out of practice. And that gave him extra time in the weight room with Je’Ney Jackson.

“I really hated sitting out and I didn’t like watching the team play without me,” he said. “But it gave us an opportunity to see what the young freshmen can do and what others can do. I got stronger because I was with coach Jackson the whole time. I was always lifting weights so I got something out of it.”

Armstrong said he was 237 pounds when he left town the week before fall camp started. Just in that short window he has added eight pounds by lifting.

“I’m 245 pounds right now,” he said. “I think I would have been even lighter than 237 because of all the running that we do in fall camp. Just the grind of going and going I wouldn’t have this much weight on me now.”

He wasn’t looking for an injury to add needed muscle. But it has worked out and he believes he is back and ready for the Rhode Island game.

“If I have a small injury I won’t come off the field,” he said. “But I knew this one was more serious and wasn’t something to play around with. Now I hope to come back stronger and better. I feel like I am healthy and stronger.”

He is ready to hit the field with his teammates and show what the defensive line can do this year.

“As a unit I think we’re much better than we were last year,” Armstrong said. “Last year was our first year playing together. Now we’re more comfortable and know how each other plays.”