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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss' Armstead Signs With Pittsburgh Steelers
4/29/2003 | Football
April 29, 2003
OXFORD, Miss. - Ole Miss wide receiver Jason Armstead of Moss Point, Miss., has reached agreement on a free agent contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, it was announced Monday by the National Football League club. Armstead was one of 18 free agents to agree to terms with the Steelers.
Armstead, a 5-10, 160 pounder, played the last two years at Ole Miss after transferring from Gulf Coast Community College. During his two years with the Rebels, he played in 23 games, starting 14, and was credited with 56 receptions for 729 yards and five touchdowns.
He also figured prominently in the return game as he returned 38 kickoffs for 878 yards and one TD, and 54 punts for 579 yards and one TD. In two seasons with Coach David Cutcliffe's Rebels, Armstead had 2,180 all purpose yards, averaging 94.8 yards per game.
As a senior in 2002, Armstead led Ole Miss with 1,048 all purpose yards. He returned one punt 62 yards for a TD against Memphis and twice earned Southeastern Conference Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
Against Memphis, Armstead had a career high 191 all purpose yards, breaking a 55-year old school single game record with 157 punt return yards on eight returns. He returned his final punt 62 yards for a score with 2:47 remaining in the game to provide the final points in a 38-16 Rebel victory. The eight returns also tied the Ole Miss single game mark.
During his junior season, Armstead also led Ole Miss in all purpose yards with 1,132. In his first game with the Rebels, he returned a kickoff 93 yards for a TD against Murray State in the season opener. It turned out to be the second longest kickoff return in the SEC that year.
As a sophomore at Gulf Coast C.C., Armstead picked up All-America, All-Region, and All-State honors. He was an All-State and All-Gulf Coast pick while playing at Class 5A Moss Point High School, helping lead his team to back-to-back state titles.
