It’s up to Tommy Armstrong now, but the Vikings are giving themselves a shot at finding a diamond in the rough by moving the 6-foot-1, 216-pound former Nebraska quarterback to safety.
Armstrong went undrafted before signing with the Vikings and getting a tryout during a three-day rookie minicamp last weekend. He played running back on Friday and Saturday before switching to safety on Sunday.
“The Vikings gave me a shot,” Armstrong told the Lincoln Journal Star. “Really, no other teams thought I could do too much other stuff. But I played some special teams, and the Vikings liked that. I made some plays at safety here and there. They told me to go home and make sure I stay in shape.”
Armstrong said he got a 45-minute notice that the Vikings were going to try him at safety. After practice, he was invited back to the first round of organized team activities May 23-25.
“Making that change I think will be tough, but I think I’m able to do it,” Armstrong said prior to minicamp starting, according to the Pioneer Press. “My coaches from my college career think I can do it, so I’ve just got to prove to the Vikings’ coaching staff and prove to the head coach that I’m able to make that switch and be able to help the team.”
Being a freak athlete comes natural to Armstrong, who caught long time NFL.com scout Gil Brandt’s attention at Nebraska’s pro day.
“QB Tommy Armstrong (6-0 3/8, 216) tested incredibly well, running the 40 in 4.59 and 4.55 seconds, with a 37.5-inch vertical, and a 6.76 three-cone. He’s not going to be a quarterback if he makes it at the next level, but his speed and athleticism will get him some looks at other positions. He ran some routes at the pro day for scouts, and could project as a wide receiver or possibly safety.”
Armstrong is Nebraska’s all-time leader in total yards (10,690 yards), total touchdowns (91), passing yards (8,871) and passing touchdowns (67).
