'It's NFL before NIL': Armstrong twins on Ohio State, navigating NIL

Deontae and Devontae Armstrong have heard the NIL pitches.

The twins in the 2024 recruiting cycle announced their commitment to Ohio State back in March. Two highly-touted prospects, the pair of four-star offensive linemen had to navigate what schools would provide best long-term decision over short-term money.

They made visits and camped at a number of schools last June, developing relationships with coaching staffs and identifying what fit made the most sense. As with nearly every college football recruitment in the NIL era, the possible business opportunities in each market was discussed.

That just was not the main focus for the Armstrongs, though. For some prospects, however, picking the school with the most lucrative NIL package is a dealbreaker. And top recruits continue to view the Jaden Rashada situation at Florida as a warning shot.

At Sunday’s Under Armour Next+ Camp in Columbus, each showed off why reaching the NFL is attainable with the right development. Deontae is a 6-foot-7, 270-pound offensive tackle who was quickly becoming a nationally-coveted target before shutting down his recruitment. His brother, Devontae, projects as a guard at the next level with his 6-foot-4.5, 245-pound frame.

Signing that first NFL contract is the long-term goal. Each believes the Buckeyes provide that path. As in-state products, the duo from St. Edward in Lakewood, Ohio, wanted to stay home and win a national championship instead of taking the NIL cash.

“That’s what we go there for, you know, national championships, get developed and then go on to the league,” Deontae told On3 on Sunday at Fortress Obetz sports complex. “It’s NFL before NIL.”

NFL development, track record key for Ohio State

Ohio State has the evidence to back up the NFL development in the offensive line room. Former five-star recruit Paris Johnson protected C.J. Stroud this past season at left tackle. He went 11 games without allowing a sack on his way to earning consensus first-team All-American honors.

Johnson went No. 6 overall to the Arizona Cardinals in last month’s NFL draft. The first offensive tackle from Ohio State to go in the first round since Taylor Decker in 2016, the Buckeyes had two more offensive linemen taken in the draft with Luke Wypler and Dawand Jones.

“Their development is second to none, especially with the help of coach Mick [Marotti],” Devontae said. “We’ve seen it in the draft, you know, with Paris Johnson. That just speaks to their coaching staff.”

The Buckeyes did not rush through the process of evaluating the Armstrongs. Trying to identify talent that will transition to the college level on the line of scrimmage always takes time. At Sunday’s camp, working out in front of Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, it was clear both have the traits to make the jump.

How they’re developed when they arrive on campus will be critical. Each said they have a strong relationship with offensive line coach Justin Frye, who just wrapped up his first season in Columbus. The former UCLA offensive line coach and offensive coordinator previously worked with Day at Temple and Boston College.

The offensive line recruiting board is now Frye’s. The Armstrongs will be just the second class the coach has brought into the Ohio State program.

Each has bought into the mantra of the NFL before NIL. The next step is having a strong summer of workouts headed into their senior years.

Then they can start to worry about contributing to their home-state school.

“He really saw our potential and the things that we need to work on and the things that we do pretty well,” Devontae said about Frye. “I see how develops his players, so it’s almost like why not coach Frye and Ohio State.”