Mike Norvell announces Julian Armella will not play again this season, plans to redshirt

Florida State head coach Mike Norvell revealed on Monday that star freshman offensive lineman Julian Armella will not play in the season finale versus Florida on Friday.

The young Seminoles player saw the field in four games already, which is the maximum allowed by the NCAA in order to maintain a redshirt. Taking the redshirt this year gives the 6-foot-6, 314-pound Miami native four more years to play and grow into a role as a potential starter.

“Julian has hit his fourth game,” Norvell said. “He won’t play again this season. We’ve made that decision with him.”

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Armella to redshirt after four games played

Last month, Norvell fielded a question about Armella’s progress. However, he pivoted the focus to his entire group of freshmen offensive linemen.

“Our young offensive linemen, they’re coming along,” Norvell said. “I like that group. Really, all those guys that have come in, it’s a work in progress with a young offensive line. They’re starting at the ground floor of it and just each day in practice they’re working on their confidence.”

Julian Armella was one of the biggest wins of the 2022 recruiting cycle for Norvell. He was a standout for St. Thomas Aquinas with offers from a couple dozen of the nation’s top schools. A Florida State legacy, the son of Enzo Armella, Julian opted to stick with the family trend and signed with the ‘Noles. He was the No. 172 overall prospect in the nation and the No. 11 offensive tackle prospect, according to the On3 Consensus.

The Noles will take on the Florida Gators on Saturday in the annual rivalry matchup without any assistance from the freshman. FSU is chasing the ninth win of the season and they’re heavy favorites following the Gators’ loss to Vanderbilt last Saturday.