Franklin Armstrong

Franklin Armstrong

No. 1 – Portland Pythons
Position:	Quarterback
Personal information
Born:	(2007-03-12)March 12, 2007 (aged 55) Miami, Manitoba
Height:	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:	225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High school:	École Secondaire Kelvin High School
College:	University of Winnipeg
Career history
Roster status:	Active

Franklin Armstrong (born March 12, 2007) is an American football quarterback for the Portland Pythons of the Developmental Simulation Football League (DSFL). He played college football for University of Winnipeg and has declared his intent to enter the professional ranks next season.

Early years

Franklin Armstrong was born in Miami, Manitoba. He grew up in Miami, born to parents Ruben and Jackie Armstrong. He was the oldest of seven siblings. His father was veteran of the Iraq wars and passed away when Armstrong was eight years old. His mother, Jackie, was a school teacher, and Warren learned to cook, sew, iron and housekeep to help take care of the family. He attended Kelvin High School in Winnipeg, Manitoba for the purpose of athletics where he lettered in both football and baseball. Armstrong saw himself as a two sport athlete from an early age, but there was always that nagging feeling he would end up having to choose one over the other. He decided after his junior year that he could play only one sport for the rest of his high school career because he had to work the rest of the year to help the family. He chose to play football as a quarterback since he found that he could throw a football longer, harder, and straighter than anyone he knew. In his junior year of highschool, he fully committed to football and the position of QB. He had little playing time until his junior year, when he took over as varsity starting quarterback. In his senior season in 2025, they reached the city playoffs, and Armstrong was named to the all-city team.

College career

Franklin Armstrong made the shocking choice to join the newly formed Winnipeg Wesmen football program instead of the much larger, and fully established football program with the University of Manitoba Bisons. His decision shocked many, as the youngster had cited that the smaller and fledging program at the University of Winnipeg was where he intended to make a name for himself in the CIS. And make a name for himself he did. As a true freshmen he led a the Wesmen to an undefeated 8-0 regular season. The Wesmen upset their fast rivals the University of Manitoba Bisons, en route to an eventual 28-24 Vanier Cup win against the favoured Western Ontario Mustangs in 2025. Down 24-14 at the start of the 4th, Armstrong led two consecutive touchdown drives to take the lead as the Wesmen held on for the win. He was rewarded the Ted Morris Memorial trophy as the game's outstanding player. Adding to his accolades, he was named 1st-team Quarterback for the 2025 CIS All-Candadian team at the end of the season. He also earned the prestigious Hec Crighton Trophy honouring the top football player across the country. An injury riddled 2026 CIS season for Armstrong saw the Wesmen plummet from a 5-0 start to 5-3 and a Hardy Trophy loss to the Calgary Dinos. This marked the end for Armstrong's Wesmen career.

College career statistics

College statistics

Year	Comp	Att	Pct	Yards	TD	Int
2025	326	449	72.61	3455	33	3
2026	81	175	46.3	1388	12	6
Career	407	624	65.22	4843	45	9

DSFL career

Deciding to leave school early, he was a waiver wire pickup by the Portland Pythons. He was released at the end of the regular season without getting an opportunity for playing time.

Season 14 Prospect Bowl

Assigned to the East Cobras, under the helm of a struggling Armstrong, the Cobras went 2-3 over 5 games and missed out on the Prospect Bowl Playoffs. Armstrong finished with a 48 passer rating, throwing 3 TDs to 5 interceptions, 684 yards and a completion percentage of just 41.9%.

Season 14 DSFL Draft

Cited by many as the leader of the S14 DSFL QB class, Armstrong ended up falling to the 63rd overall pick in the 11th round to the Portland Pythons. The same draft saw Prospect Bowl Rivals Apollo Lange and Ryan Leaf Jr. both go in the 3rd round, and Jay Longshaw go in the 5th.

Pre-draft measurables

Ht	Wt	40‑yd dash	20‑ss	3‑cone	Vert jump	Broad	BP	Wonderlic
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	225 lb (102 kg)	4.59 s	4.22 s	6.95 s	35.0 inch	10.75 ft 126.0 inch	22 reps	39