FSU's Recruit Armondo Blount Ranks as a Four-Star Prospect in the 2024 Class

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ICARO Media Group
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23/10/2023 22h10

Florida State University's football program has secured a major commitment from Armondo Blount, a talented defensive lineman. Blount, originally a five-star prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, has decided to reclassify himself to the 2024 class, which has led to a revised ranking for the young athlete.

Blount, now considered a four-star prospect, holds an impressive position as the No. 39 overall prospect and the No. 9 defensive lineman in the country according to the 247Sports Top247 Rankings. He also boasts a five-star status in the 247Sports Composite ranking, placing him as the No. 20 overall player and the No. 4 defensive lineman nationwide.

The decision to reclassify Blount has sparked discussions among scouting experts, with 247Sports Director of Scouting Andrew Ivins offering insights into the factors influencing Blount's updated ranking. Despite the difficulty in projecting potential in reclassified players, Ivins acknowledged Blount's exceptional testing numbers, track and field records, and favorable physical measurements, including his impressive length. Ivins also expressed confidence in Blount's performance so far at Miami Central, stating that the scouting team has been impressed with his abilities seen this season.

Blount, who stands at 6-foot-3.5 and weighs 250 pounds, was initially slated to participate in the 2025 Under Armour All-American game. However, with his reclassification, Ivins expressed hope that Blount would be allowed to compete in this year's edition of the game, providing an opportunity to evaluate him alongside other class of 2024 prospects.

Long-term growth potential remains a concern for Blount's development, as experts question where he will fit in and how much size he can gain. To succeed at the next level, it is believed that Blount will need to put on more weight and mass in order to withstand the challenges of collegiate play. Ivins suggests that he could excel as an interior lineman with pass-rushing abilities, though he also notes Blount's versatility, which could allow him to be utilized as a situational edge defender early in his career at FSU.

From the perspective of FSU, landing Blount is seen as a positive development with minimal risk. By securing his commitment, the university prevents him from choosing another institution. Furthermore, given the current rules surrounding initial counters and the Transfer Portal, FSU has the flexibility to over-recruit if needed. This ensures that there is no significant risk involved for the program. Ivins believes that FSU will quickly gain a clear understanding of Blount's potential, and if it proves fruitful, it could yield significant benefits for the team.

Blount's switch from his previous commitment to the University of Miami in favor of FSU came after his visit to Tallahassee over the weekend. The memorable visit featured FSU's victory over Duke in front of an enthusiastic crowd at the packed Doak Campbell Stadium. Blount explained that he chose FSU due to the program's reputation and the belief that Coach Odell Haggins would develop him into a top-tier lineman ready for the NFL.

Blount is not only joining the 2024 recruiting class but will also be enrolling early at FSU, commencing his college journey in January. With high expectations and strong potential, Blount's presence on the FSU roster is poised to make an immediate impact.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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