For the second consecutive weekend, the Florida Gators hosted many top prospects, including a five-star Florida State recruit who will have to make some tough decisions in the coming months. On Sunday, 2025 offensive lineman Solomon Thomas spoke with Gator Country about the status of his recruitment to the Florida Gators.
“It’s more of a push to get me on board because after the summer, you want to know who’s coming in, especially since I’m an early enrollee and will start school in about six months. So, just getting the game plan, when they say pro-style in Florida, they mean it. So when you transition into the NFL, God willing, there are no surprises,” Thomas said of his main takeaway from his visit.
“My main takeaway is that it’s about the people, not just one person. It’s a collective effort, involving everyone.
Despite Thomas’ commitment to Florida State since December of last year, LSU and Florida are making a strong push for the 6-4, 315-pound offensive lineman.
“I’d say it’s neck-and-neck right now,” Thomas said about the matchup between LSU and Florida. “This is home, because I am still in Florida.” It’s the palm trees and buildings that I’m used to seeing, but it’s the people that keep me coming back.”
One of the most memorable moments for the Jacksonville native this weekend was simply seeing the folks with whom he has formed strong bonds during the process. The people and the culture are two factors that keep Thomas returning to Gainesville.
“Just seeing life after football, the plan, the expectation, and the people,” Thomas remarked of the highlight of his official visit. “I believe there is nothing quite like playing with individuals you’ve known for a long time. I’m realizing that culture is something I’ve always known and believed in, and things are definitely going well in Gainesville.”
This coaching staff has emphasized the value of having a top-15 talent like Thomas on the roster, and he conducts himself as if he can make an immediate impact on the offensive line.
“Coach Decoster is an NFL man; he told me from the start that he’s in business, as is Coach Sale and Coach Napier. “You want to get guys who you believe will produce not only on the field, but also in the offensive line room,” Thomas said. “I feel like I absolutely bring that to the table, that positive vibe, and I’m not jealous.
If I see a guy working harder than me, I need to step up. That’s the bond I feel I’ve formed with both the attacking and defensive sides of the ball. I know a few guys here, and as time passes, I’ll learn more.
It will take more than most expect to land the highly touted offensive lineman from Tallahassee, but Billy Napier and the Florida Gators are in as strong a position as anyone right now.
“At the end of the day it comes down to a gut feeling,” stated Thomas. “It’s the relationships man, it’s just the relationships.”
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