ESPN has put Miami defensive lineman Armondo Blount on its list of sleeper players heading into the 2026-27 college football season, and it’s easy to see why the buzz is building.
Blount enters his junior year at 6-foot-4 and 275 pounds, with his role for the Hurricanes growing steadily since he first arrived in Coral Gables. The Fort Lauderdale, Florida, native was used sparingly as a freshman, finishing with two tackles in eight appearances.
Last season was a different story. Blount carved out a much bigger spot in the rotation and posted 17 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and one pass deflection.
His strongest showing came against Stanford, when he finished with two tackles and a sack.
Now he’s back to give Miami another presence on the edge with both run-stopping and pass-rushing ability. The Hurricanes are expected to have one of the most dangerous defensive lines in the country, and Blount is projected to take on an even larger responsibility this fall.
He has also spent the offseason adding size, putting on more than 25 pounds of muscle.
ESPN’s writeup pointed to both his recruiting pedigree and Miami’s need at the end spots after losing first-round NFL draft picks Rueben Bain and Ahkeem Mesidor. Missouri transfer Damon Wilson II is also in the mix, but Blount’s experience, including during Miami’s CFP run, has him positioned for a bigger opportunity.
“Armondo Blount is a guy I really pay close attention to,” coach Mario Cristobal told ESPN. “That guy has a great skill set, and he is big, strong, fast, and he is relentless.
Like, that motor is insane. I know everyone talks about Damon Wilson, and they should.
Can [the ends] play as good as Mesidor and Bain? Let's go find out if they can.”
In Other News...
Another Miami O-Lineman Just Hit An Uncertain NFL Crossroads
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Instead, he was waived as part of the Falcons initial 53-man cuts, leaving his next move up in the air. Brockermeyer can still be claimed by another team, and if he clears waivers, a practice squad spot remains an option, but for now his pro career is in the same uncertain holding pattern that so many young linemen face at this stage. [Read more 🡒]
Xavier Restrepo Just Gave Miami Fans Another NFL Success Story
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Restrepo had already spent time on Tennessees practice squad, then helped strengthen his case with a preseason showing in which he caught four passes for 71 yards. Miami supporters hardly need a refresher on what he meant in college, where he set program records for career receiving yards and receptions, and his latest step in the NFL gives the Hurricanes another example of a player who found a way to turn production into opportunity. [Read more 🡒]
Rueben Bain Hits First NFL Bump At The Worst Time
Rueben Bain Jr. has already run into the kind of early camp hiccup every rookie hopes to avoid. The former Miami edge rusher, now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, sprained the AC joint in his shoulder during a joint practice with the Jacksonville Jaguars, a jolt at a time when he was trying to build momentum and settle into his first NFL summer.
The good news for the Buccaneers is that the injury has been described as nothing serious, and Bain is expected to be ready for Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Still, head coach Todd Bowles held him out of practice as a precaution, which is enough to keep Miami fans and Bucs watchers attentive to how the rookie responds once he gets back on the field. [Read more 🡒]