By Don Ketchum

The University of Idaho just signed a player who might be the fastest player in school history even before he steps onto the football field.

He is Trae Armstrong, a running back from Glendale Deer Valley who made his commitment official on Wednesday (Feb. 1), the first day that players are allowed to sign letters-of-intent.

Armstrong was a large group of players who announced their signings at Majerle's Sports Grill in Chandler.

Armstrong rushed for 1,794 yards and 23 touchdowns as a senior.

He has been just as impressive on the track, where he won the 100- and 200-meter dashes in the state meet as a sophomore and the 100, 200 and 400 as a junior.

“I think they are going to try to get me in open space a lot,’’ said Armstrong of the Idaho coaches.

It also could mean using him as a slot receiver. Armstrong is good enough of an athlete to move back and forth between that spot and running back.

“You want to create mismatches. That can cause a lot of problems. It can be exciting,’’ Armstrong said.

Before you get the idea that Armstrong’s production might be affected by the colder weather up north, consider this – Idaho plays in a domed facility.

Armstrong made his decision on Dec. 22, and has not flinched on that choice.

He is a good student and said the school’s strength in academics was a factor.

“I felt comfortable all the way around,’’ Armstrong said. “They have a student-teacher ratio of about 16-1, and that’s something you don’t find at a lot of schools.’’

The next chapter awaits, but Armstrong , who will also compete in track at Idaho, will get to use his speed again for Deer Valley at the state meet in May.