Typically, the first dominoes that fall in a recruiting class are the top quarterbacks. Most programs only take one per cycle, so the game of musical chairs starts early. So, while Matt Campbell hasn’t yet put the finishing touches on his 2027 class, his pursuit of four-star in-state 2028 QB James Armstrong has already begun.
Penn State hosted the Hopewell High School product during this past week’s prospect camp, and after leaving Happy Valley, he headed to Columbus for an Ohio State camp. Armstrong has yet to receive an offer from the Buckeyes, but Ryan Day’s program is looming as a potential problem for Matt Campbell’s pursuit of the athletic lefty.
Pennsylvania 2028 QB prospect James Armstrong was among the top passers at Ohio State's camp on Thursday. He has several high major offers, including Penn State, Pitt, Ole Miss, Georgia, Auburn and others. Our interview with James here:https://t.co/vig9hIsp3m pic.twitter.com/gHtDkHvoOn
— Steve Helwagen (@SteveHelwagen) June 13, 2026
An Ohio State offer could throw a wrench in Penn State’s James Armstrong plans
Speaking with Steve Helwagen of Bucknuts, Armstrong said an offer from the Buckeyes would “shake things up.” And that might be an understatement.
The No. 10 QB in the class and a top 200 overall prospect, Armstrong has already garnered interest and offers from Arkansas, Auburn, Georgia, Ole Miss, and plenty of other big-money programs. However, Ohio State still tends to stand a cut above for most prospects despite the influx of money to the sport through NIL and revenue-sharing, leveling the recruiting playing field.
Ryan Day has developed the quarterback position as well as just about any coach in the country. While that hasn’t always translated to NFL success, and though his only national championship came behind a veteran transfer with little pedigree or hope of an NFL future, Day can get elite production out of just about any QB. One with Armstrong’s talent could be special.
The 6-foot-3, 220-pound rising junior is an exceptional runner who is remarkably difficult to bring down. Plus, he has a big arm to push the ball downfield, not dissimilar to Justin Fields, who finished third in Heisman Trophy voting for the Buckeyes in 2019 and led them to the National Championship Game in 2020.
To his credit, Matt Campbell has developed the positional well, too. In fact, Brock Purdy has about as much NFL success as the highly-drafted QBs Ohio State regularly sends into the NFL, most recently Fields and CJ Stroud. Rocco Becht has also proven himself to be a reliable college quarterback who understands the game well. However, Campbell and offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser have never coached a player with the physical tools Armstrong boasts. Developing a player like that can be an entirely different beast.
Quarterbacks coach Jake Waters reportedly developed a strong bond with Armstrong, and Penn State is seemingly going all-in to land him. The message he took out of his trip to Happy Valley is that Penn State wants him to be its quarterback, while Ohio State still hasn’t extended an offer.
In the past, that early belief in a prospect would go a long way in recruiting. Now, it’s often who offers the biggest deal, and Ohio State is rarely outbid. Day is seemingly undecided on his 2027 QB. The Buckeyes appear to be after five-star Nebraska commit Trae Taylor while backing off four-star commit Brady Edmunds. Yet, when Day fully turns his attention to 2028, if he locks in on Armstrong, he’ll be tough to beat.
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