ANALYSIS: Why 5-star DL Armondo Blount may be Miami’s most unique 2024 signee

Most 2024 recruits go through four years of high school, gradually receive more offers each year, commit to a program and sign with a school in December of their senior years. But most recruits aren’t Miami (Fla.) Central five-star defensive lineman Armondo Blount.

Blount only went through three years of high school but played four years of varsity football, starting his career at Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Dillard on varsity as an eighth grader before transferring to Central this past offseason. Blount also began his career on pace to graduate in 2025 but reclassified to the 2024 class in October as he flipped to Florida State, and he remained in the 2024 class after signing with the Canes yesterday.

Blount can also play on the interior or along the perimeter, depending on the program’s needs.

“One of the first things that stood out about him was his size and athleticism,” Central head coach Jube Joseph told CaneSport. “Beyond him being such a great player, his football IQ is through the roof. He has one of the top GPAs in the school. Not just on the team but at the school. I think that transitions on the field and allows him to be one of the top players in the country.”

Joseph had also previously noted some similarities between Blount and Central 2023 four-star defensive lineman Rueben Bain, who turned into an overnight star for the Hurricanes after arriving from Central in the offseason. Joseph said both command a room and are terrors on the field, yet they’re still gentle giants off the field.

Blount also held a GPA healthy enough to allow him to graduate a year early, so Joseph said it was no surprise his football IQ was through the roof, which has only helped his performance on the field. But he also has a knack for making plays at the biggest moments.

“He had a key moment in the Bishop Gorman game when we needed a stop; he got a strip sack,” Joseph said. “He had a key moment in the game against Booker T. Washington with his scoop and score when we needed it to put us up. Just makes plays in key moments. Some people fold under pressure, but Armondo just rises to the top in those types of moments.”

CaneSport’s Take

Blount’s recruitment has been a rollercoaster, but it’s time for Hurricane fans to hop off this chaotic four-month ride. Blount will, at long last, be a Cane.

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