LSU Football: Tigers continue to trend well for 4-star OT

LSU football is one of the top programs in the country when it comes to keeping elite in-state talent from leaving the state.

But that doesn’t mean the Tigers ignore out-of-state talent. Quite the opposite, actually. LSU does a great job of mixing together in-state recruiting and out-of-state recruiting. That’s why you see a quarterback from Georgia (Max Johnson) throwing to a wide receiver from Louisiana (Kayshon Boutte).

One of LSU’s top 2022 recruiting targets is four-star offensive lineman Julian Armella.

Armella, 6-foot-6/300 lbs from Fort Lauderdale, FL (St. Thomas Aquinas), is ranked in 247Sports’ composite rankings as the No. 12 offensive tackle in the country and the No. 15 player in Florida.

LSU football is one of the favorites for Julian Armella

Unsurprisingly, Miami is trying to keep Armella from leaving the state.

But according to Rivals national recruiting director Adam Gorney, it’s unlikely that the Hurricanes will land the talented offensive lineman.

In fact, Gorney views Alabama and LSU as the two favorites to land Armella.

“I still think the five-star offensive tackle is going to leave the state to play college football,” said Gorney this week.

“LSU and Alabama are probably set as his two favorites right now,” added Gorney.

Recruiting analyst Gary Ferman, who covers Miami for Rivals, agrees with Gorney.

“From Day 1 of recruiting, it has seemed clear that Armella has been focused on leaving South Florida,” explained Ferman. “There have not been any signs at all to this point that he is seriously considering Miami.”

Going up against Alabama in a recruiting battle is never easy. But Ed Orgeron is one of the top recruiting head coaches in the country. If anyone can beat Nick Saban for an elite offensive lineman, it’s Coach O.