It has been a tough year for Miami’s vaunted football program, which is still awaiting word on NCAA sanctions thanks to an explosive Yahoo! Sports story last year about violations by a rogue booster. Given its status under the microscope, you probably can expect more of these stories: The school has dismissed senior safety Ray-Ray Armstrong from the team.
No reason was given, but it’s a big loss. Armstrong, a 6-foot-4, 215 pounder, was rated fifth among all senior safeties by ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper. He is eligible to transfer and play elsewhere if he so chooses. But it’s hard to imagine an NFL prospect like him sitting out a year and then playing an extra year in college. Armstrong was on the preseason Chuck Bednarik Award watch list, which goes to the nation’s top defensive player.
Armstrong already had been suspended four games at the start of last season for accepting gifts from booster Nevin Shapiro. He never quite rounded into his expected form with just one interception and one fumble recovery in seven games after returning.
– Brian McNally
