ORLANDO, Fla. — One of many greatest Nationwide Signing Day flips in early December went down alongside the offensive line.
Jacksonville (Fla.) Raines five-star Solomon Thomas, who had been dedicated to Florida State since final December, elected to signal with Brian Kelly and LSU over the Seminoles and fellow in-state program Florida following official visits to every in November.
“It was laborious — I hated to make that sort of resolution,” Thomas instructed Rivals at Beneath Armour Subsequent All-America Recreation media day. “However it was the suitable resolution for me. I had been on Florida State’s campus possibly 30 occasions in my recruitment and it turned dwelling.
“I went to LSU possibly twice, however after I obtained on campus it felt like, ‘whoa, that is the place to be.'”
The senior, who helped Raines make the state championship recreation, made waves on Sunday in detailing how now-former FSU assistant coach Alex Atkins endorsed LSU offensive line coach Brad Davis as Thomas was making his ultimate resolution.
“He (Atkins) was like, ‘he is an ideal dude who will handle you on and off the sector,'” Thomas stated. “Atkins turned virtually a father determine to me…there was no one to switch him at Florida State.”
Thomas admits, whereas taking the recommendation from Atkins, the choice to turn out to be a Tiger went nicely past the nudge and even the standing of Davis himself. In truth, the signee stated he could be in Baton Rouge even when sweeping adjustments hit this system prefer it did at Florida State.
“You should not commit due to a coach,” he stated. “I am dedicated to LSU due to this system. It does not matter if Coach Davis will get fired tomorrow, I am going to nonetheless go to LSU. If Coach Kelly will get fired, I am nonetheless going to LSU.
“I wasn’t actually a soccer child rising up, however I bear in mind watching them after I was youthful. I noticed them produce athletes…canine offensive linemen and defensive linemen. It begins with the trenches.”
LSU at present holds the No. 6 class within the Rivals 2025 staff recruiting rankings.
