DESOTO, Texas — It was a waiting game on draft day for DeSoto native and NFL hopeful Andrew Armstrong. 

A day that’s full of anticipation, nerves and anxiety in anticipation of joining the National Football League.

“I woke up at 1 a.m., and I’ve been up ever since,” said the former University of Arkansas wide receiver. “I’ve just been ready to know where I’m gonna end up.”

Armstrong did not end up hearing his name called in the 2025 NFL draft. He instead signed a free agent contract with the Miami Dolphins.

“The journey I’ve been through, all the ups and downs, the doubters,” Armstrong said. “Just overcoming all of those obstacles and just getting to this point today. It’s just surreal.”

Being overlooked is familiar territory for Armstrong, whose only scholarship offer out of high school was at the Division II level from Texas A&M Commerce. 

After four years in the Lions program, he transferred to Arkansas, where he was the team’s leading receiver the past two seasons, earning all-SEC honors in 2024.

“Being an underdog, being that guy that nobody really looks at and says ‘he’s the guy,’ I always have to prove myself,” Armstrong said. “Everything I’ve been doing from when I was a kid up until now, it’s molded me to be that person.”

Now Armstrong must prove himself all over again, but this time with a heavy heart.

“It was very emotional all day,” said Armstrong’s mom, Kaprisha Armstrong. “Toward the end of the sixth round, I just felt like I had to go see A.J., his brother, so I actually left and went to the cemetery, and sat and talked to him for about 30 minutes.”

Armstrong’s brother, Arthur Armstrong Jr., was killed by police in December during a mental health crisis. It happened just as Armstrong began his NFL draft process.

“I’m sure it was super emotional for him. Watching him go through the process, dealing with just his own personal adversity,” said Armstrong’s dad, Arthur Armstrong Sr. “Did he do enough? Was he thinking like that? Why? Why? Why?” 

And when Armstrong’s wait ended on draft day, he was overwhelmed with emotion while holding a picture of his slain brother.

A different weight that will now fuel Armstrong’s budding NFL career — one that his brother always believed in.

“He always told me to keep striving, keep being the person that I am, the football player that I am,” Armstrong said. “He knew I would get to this moment.”