2022 Recruiting Profile: Julian Armella

Building an elite offensive line for the future is near the top of the priority list for every recruiting cycle for every college program in America, and the Miami Hurricanes are no different. For the 2022 recruiting class, UM has one of the top lineman prospects in the country right in their backyard, 5-star offensive tackle Julian Armella out of Columbus High School in Miami.

Armella has been the name to know for Canes fans when it comes to offensive lineman in this upcoming cycle for two reasons. One, he’s an unbelievable talent at one of the most important positions on the football field, and two, he’s right here in South Florida.

If you ask me, OL coach Garin Justice pulled off an incredible recruiting haul for the 2021 class, when you look at guys like Ryan Rodriguez, Michael McLaughlin and Laurence Seymore. Plus, Miami added OT Issiah Walker Jr. from the transfer portal.

Looking ahead to 2022, Justice and the rest of the Canes staff look to add even more talent to the offensive line, and Armella is viewed as perhaps the top target.

247 Sports has Armella listed as the #14 offensive tackle in the 2022 cycle, #16 player in the state of Florida, and #133 player nationally for his class. Armella has been invited to play in the All-American Bowl following his senior season, which is held in San Antonio.

Armella started as a sophomore at South Florida powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas, helping them capture a state championship. Prior to his junior year, Armella transferred to Columbus High School in Dade County, where he was a first-team All-State selection by MaxPreps in 2020.

As a player who’s responsible for protecting his quarterbacks blindside at left tackle, Armella has great technique at the position, with hands ready to strike and keeping his elbows in. He has very smooth footwork, and moves with great agility, your prototypical left tackle in college football.

At 6-6 and weighing 300 pounds, Armella is a physical monster, and plays with extreme intensity on the line. After studying his film, I’m really impressed by Armella as a run blocker, demolishing defensive lineman with force, keeping his feet moving at all times during the play.

Armella has plenty of room to grow, and much to improve on, but his natural ability cannot be understated.

With this kind of talent and being at left tackle, Armella is being looked at by schools all around college football. An important note in his recruitment, Armella is an FSU legacy, with his father having played in Tallahassee, so the Seminoles are going to be one of the biggest threats in landing him.

One thing that definitely is working in Miami’s favor, is that teammate at Columbus, and 2021 UM signee Ryan Rodriguez, developed a bond with Armella during this past season, and it’s been said he’s trying to help recruit Armella for the Hurricanes.