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The trenches. Where football games are truly won or lost. Win up front, win on the scoreboard. How to win upfront? Get the best recruits and develop them into trench monsters. Julian Armella is considered one of the best offensive linemen in the country. Strong, quick, and technically sound are the words used to describe the 2022 prospect. But where will he be spending his college years? Well, if any school has any chance, a family environment better be at the forefront.
“The main thing that I’m looking for is a family environment,” said Armella after an early morning practice at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale. “Ever since I came back it’s been nothing but love and admiration. It’s more than just football, college football is a business. To be able to converse with these coaches and have more of a relationship than football, that is what’s the determining factor for me.”
Having a former high school football teammate at major schools gives Armella insight into the environment for his collegiate career. And it helps that Armella has attended two of the best programs in South Florida in St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) and Miami Columbus. The towering offensive tackle (6-7, 290) started his career with St. Thomas and transferred to Columbus for his junior year. His quickness and agility are arguably second to none in the state of Florida. Armella is considered a five-star prospect according to Rivals.com, and is now back at Aquinas for his senior year. Armella is looking to finish his career where he started.
I don’t start things… I just finish them ! 🤷🏽♂️ @kickzfuego pic.twitter.com/Z6fawHjD5U
— Julian Armella (@ArmellaJulian) April 19, 2021
“I started as a freshman and sophomore year, and it was just family over here,” Armella said. “I love the tradition over here and I want to give homage to Columbus but it was more a family decision at the time that I left. I’m happy to be back with my teammates and my family members and I am going to try to win a state championship this year.”
When the dead period was lifted, Armella visited LSU and Miami, both of which are among his top schools.
“LSU is the top school for me right now, same thing with Alabama. I’m liking Miami, Florida, FSU all those schools.”
His connections with his former teammates will seem to play a vital role in making his college decision.
“With LSU Marlon Martinez and Marcus Dumervil. Those are my guys over there, we still talk every single day. I’m just excited to build a relationship with Coach Davis over there and Coach O, that’s my guy.”
“With Alabama, national championship program, goes every single year [to the playoff] winning program, so I would love to be a part of that tradition. Jordan Battle, I played with him my freshman year. Now he’s over there winning national championships as a true sophomore.”
“Obviously Miami, I was born and raised in Miami. I used to live five minutes away from campus. Coach Justice is doing a great job over there. It’s the same thing with coach Diaz. Also Ryan Rodriguez over there I played with him last year [at Columbus] and he’s loving it.”
St. Thomas Aquinas will open its season hosting St. Frances Academy (Baltimore) on August 28th. St. Frances’s last visit to South Florida, a 49-13 win over Miami Central.
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