FSU football: Noles in battle with Miami for 5-star DL Armondo Blount

FSU football has constructed a legendary recruiting class, which ranks No. 3 in the 247Sports Composite rankings. The coaching staff has done a tremendous job in locating highly touted prospects in the state of Florida.

Class of 2024 five-star defensive end Armondo Blount has been committed to Florida State since October 22. The Seminoles were able to lure Blount away from his verbal commitment with the arch-rival Miami Hurricanes.

As expected, the battle is not over yet as Miami has continued to get back into the recruitment for the South Florida native. Head football coach Mario Cristobal will not go away lightly as the Hurricanes look to rebound from their 2023 season.

Florida State was fortunate to have the talented defender reclassified from the 2025 recruiting cycle to 2024. The Seminoles already have three defensive linemen in their recruiting class with Blount, four-star defensive end DD Holmes, and three-star defensive tackle Jamorie Flagg. However, the football team will be losing a ton of defensive linemen such as Fabien Lovett Sr., Jared Verse (possibly NFL Draft), Braden Fiske, Dennis Briggs Jr., and even Patrick Payton (if he does decide to transfer).

Even with the three defensive linemen committed, that has not stopped the coaching staff from recruiting other options though as five-star defensive lineman LJ McCray is visiting campus today (Friday, December 8th), and three-star defensive tackle D’Nas White will be officially visiting for the entire weekend.

Florida State has had some bad luck in the past few recruiting cycles when it has involved defensive linemen as we approach the Early Signing Period with prospects such as Rueben Bain Jr., Keldric Faulk, etc. However, the Seminoles still have a chance to finish strong in the 2024 recruiting cycle.

Assistant coaches such as Odell Haggins and John Papuchis will have to continue to apply the pressure on Blount’s recruitment and ensure him that staying committed to Florida State is the best option.