The University of Miami won the recruiting battle on Wednesday, but they lost the match against Florida State last month. On the first day of the early signing period, Armondo Blount, a five-star defensive lineman from Miami Central, completed another incredible day of recruiting for Mario Cristobal and the Miami Hurricanes by switching his commitment from FSU to UM on Wednesday. With his decision to change his ways, the 6-foot-3, 250-pound defensive lineman should land in the top five of the 2024 class, perhaps giving Miami the best class of defensive linemen in the country. Blount committed to Miami in September, switched to Florida State in October, and then, on Wednesday, returned to the Hurricanes following an official visit over the weekend in Coral Gables. Blount had intended to fly to Tallahassee for the final weekend prior to the early signing period, but he changed his mind at the last minute, and Miami signed him away from its most formidable opponent.
It was only the hiring procedure. It was enjoyable. I’m grateful to each and every coach for spending the time to recruit me. Blount remarked, “I truly appreciate it to every school.” “My heart has always belonged to Miami.” Even after I flipped, they stayed put. Blount shared a picture of himself throwing up the U on social media on Friday. The mother of the lineman, Valentiauntrell Kennedy Blount, posted this on Saturday: “Let me finish this up quickly so I can go back to having fun.” Armondo will not pay any unofficial or formal visit to any other school. “See you all December 20th,” the post said, tagging Cristobal, defensive line coaches Jason Taylor and Joe Salave’a, as well as a number of other coaches and assistant coaches. Blount ultimately had one last change of heart on Wednesday, verbally pledging his allegiance to Miami during a private ceremony at the Diversity Performing Arts Center in Lauderhill. Blount’s signing of his national letter of intent before the ceremony was revealed, and the Hurricanes proclaimed him as a member of their recruiting class right away.
Just hours before the Hurricanes’ season opener against FCS Bethune-Cookman on September 14, Blount made his original commitment to his local team, the Hurricanes. He had just witnessed UM’s season-opening victory over Texas A&M, which was ranked No. 23 at the time. On October 22, Blount switched from UM to FSU, posting on social media that “this is home!” After talking with my family, I’ve come to the conclusion that Florida State is my destiny.
Blount, who committed to the Seminoles, reclassified to the 2024 recruiting class despite being a junior. He now intends to enroll early the next month. When Blount starts university courses the next year, he will still be 16 years old. Blount remarked, “I think the University of Miami’s development is a better fit for me, and I can do something by staying at home and demonstrating to younger kids that you can have fun at home.” Blount told the Miami Herald on November 10, the eve of his attendance at the UM vs. FSU game, that he was “locked in” to FSU. “I’ve finished. I’m all in for Florida State,” he declared. However, he changed again, and this time it’s permanent. Aside from five-star defensive tackle Justin Scott, who just transferred from Ohio State, the Canes have also committed four-star edges Marquise Lightfoot, Artavius Jones, Booker Pickett Jr., Elias Rudolph, and other four-stars to the defensive line.
Blount totaled 58 tackles, 11 sacks, two fumble recoveries, four forced fumbles, and 19 tackles for loss this season. Based on MaxPreps, he was a second-team All-American. Blount recorded 63 tackles as a sophomore at Fort Lauderdale Dillard, including 32 tackles for loss and 17 sacks. In 2022, he won a state title in the shot put as a freshman, and the Miami Herald named him to their first team of all-Broward County in both 2021 and 2022. Blount remarked, “I just have to keep my head down and work as hard as I can.” “My intention when I arrive is to work.” We’ll follow my progress from there.
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