![Raines offensive lineman Solomon Thomas (65) prepares to call the coin toss before a high school football game at Bolles on August 23, 2024. [Clayton Freeman/Florida Times-Union]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_5113,h_2876/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/213/01jcgq2fphpb03ghyhnr.jpg "Raines offensive lineman Solomon Thomas (65) prepares to call the coin toss before a high school football game at Bolles on August 23, 2024. [Clayton Freeman/Florida Times-Union]")
There has not been much for Florida Football to celebrate in the world of recruiting. The Gators have 12 commits for their class of 2025 and are currently ranked 45th in the 247 rankings.
One of the theories for making it known that Billy Napier is for sure coming back in 2025 is to send a message to recruits that if they come to Florida, then they can guarantee who the head coach will be.
It is with that in mind that Florida is hoping to hop back into the race with a five-star offensive lineman committed to FSU now that the Seminoles have fired their offensive line coach.
Florida Football: Never Stop Calling
We profiled Solomon Thomas back in June when he took an official visit to Gainesville. At the time, we said:
"On film there is minimal argument about his composite five-star status. Beyond the fact he already has the size to step on a college campus and look like he belongs, Thomas is an absolute road grader on the field. With seemingly minimal effort he is able to pancake his opponents and he has the type of mean streak we love to see in an offensive lineman."
Thomas committed to FSU back in December of 2023 and even as the 2024 campaign has gone south has remained steadfast in his commitment to the program.
However, Mike Norvell shook things up on the coaching staff this weekend when he fired offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Alex Atkins.
This, in turn, has people wondering if the door is back open for Solomon, and in an article from Steve Wiltfong of On3, he indicated that Solomon has been getting a ton of texts and calls since the Atkins firing.
Solomon claims he is still committed to FSU but didn't shy away from Florida and LSU, the two other programs he took an official visit to this summer, being two schools that could get back into the mix.
The problem in the Billy Napier Era has been the inability to close on top-tier linemen. Roderick Kearney is the only offensive lineman rated in the top 100 overall that Napier has been able to land during his time in Gainesville.
So, if Napier wants to send a strong message that he can salvage the 2025 recruiting class, landing a player like Solomon would go a long way in trying to get the momentum rolling.