Hopewell QB James Armstrong pledges to be a Nittany Lion
Tagged under: District 7, News, Recruiting
Billy Splain | July 2, 2026
James Armstrong
Quarterback
Hopewell
6’3 225
Class of 2028
Committed to Penn State
125 attempts, 207 Completions, 2,232 yards, 21 Touchdowns. As a sophomore. That’s what Penn State saw with Hopewell quarterback James Armstrong. They also see a quarterback loaded with talent and plenty of upside. Armstrong announced his decision to commit to the Nittany Lions today. His head coach, Matt Mottes, had a very glowing statement about his incoming junior quarterback:
“James is very competitive. He loves to win and hates to lose. he’s just a competitor all the way around, on and off the field. You know I had a long talk with coach Terry Smith and we have a pretty good relationship over the last couple of years. I believe James made a good decision. Coach Smith is very trustworthy, he’s a great guy coach. Campbell, he’s very likeable. I can understand why the kids want to play for him. As for James as a person he’s just, he’s unbelievable. He’s a good honest, person. There is not many kids like James, he says what he means. As far as on the field he’s the Kobe Bryant of high school football. He’s just, he truly hates to lose. He wants to win and he just makes players better. He’s willing to put the team on his back. To be honest if he only played football he’d be a top three in the country and baseball, if he just concentrated on baseball he could be a top draft pick out of high school . He works that hard”.
We caught up with James to ask about his decision and a little more:
PFN: Why did you choose to commit to the Nittany Lions so early in your career?
Because of the belief I have in the coaches. I’ve always wanted to play there so now that I have the chance and have seen other places I decided why not now
PFN: Who was your biggest influence there, who recruited you?
Coach Waters, Coach Mouser and Coach Campbell were all equally as important. Every time I talked to them it felt like no other place
PFN: What are they getting in player like you?
A dog. Which isn’t normal for a qb. I love to workout and I love football
PFN: What was the recruiting process like for you?
Peaceful. I keep myself grounded and only go places I like. So it wasn’t hectic for me at all really
PFN: Do you know what you’d like to study?
I don’t know fully yet but I like business and sports management right now
PFN: What role did your parents play in your decision?
I only have my dad but he played a big role because he loves it there as well
PFN: What do you think is the most exciting thing about the program?
The platform it gives you in life
PFN: What are you most looking forward to while playing for them?
The white out games
PFN: Tell everyone out there in the football world something they’d never know about you until you told them:
I love piano and listening to peaceful music
PFN: Who is the person who most influenced you in your football career?
My dad
Why do you play football?
Because it’s the sport that gives me the most peace. I’ve had a hectic life growing up but when I’m doing stuff with football it all goes away
What would you do to improve the recruiting process?
Have two phones. You can’t control who texts u and there is always countless agents and things like that texting which gets annoying
PFN: What is it you’d like all your high school teammates and fans to know about your decision that you might have a hard time saying in person?
That if you’re from the state of Pa you should go to Penn state
What are your goals for this coming season?
To win the championship
Tell everyone why you think football is good for a community
Because it is something everyone can look forward to at all times
what is your favorite pregame ritual?
Preying by myself behind the field house
Music of choice:
The ride by drake
What is your favorite vacation destination?
Anywhere with people I love
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