Elite Camp Insider: 4-Star offensive tackle, others sound off about FSU event
Many prospects impressed during Florida State football coach Mike Norvell’s Elite Camp on Saturday. And one that might have turned the most heads was 2025 four-star offensive tackle Solomon Thomas.
The athletic big man also seemed to really enjoy his time at Florida State, spending time with offensive line coach Alex Atkins and the rest of the Seminoles’ staff.
“The visit went great, more so of a one-on-one kind,” Thomas said. “This program is great, Coach Atkins is great, the ‘Nole family is definitely a family — all caps FAMILY. They definitely put on.”
According to the On3 Industry Ranking, Thomas is listed as the No. 3 offensive tackle in the country and the fourth-best player overall in Florida for the 2025 class.
It was very clear that the Jacksonville Raines star enjoyed being around Atkins and has a high opinion of Florida State overall.
“FSU’s definitely Top 2,” he said before declining to name the other school he has ranked that high. “It’s great to be coached by someone who, of course knows the game, but he definitely is real with you and he’s not trying to just gaslight you, trying to tell you how good you are. Since I’ve gotten these national rankings, since I’ve gotten these stars and all these extra offers, the guy’s been the same. Coach has definitely been the same.
“They [were] loving on me my freshman year at the camp, and they’re still loving on me now the same — kind and respectful to my family as well.”
*ALSO SEE: ‘A great time’ … Elite WR Jojo Trader, Chaminade teammates recap FSU camp, visits
While Thomas wouldn’t say what other school is at the top of his list, On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine has his recruitment as a battle between Florida State and Florida.
Another recruit who stood out on Saturday was 2025 four-star WR Jaime Ffrench. Ffrench is the top wide receiver at Jacksonville’s Mandarin High School, where 2025 Florida Sate QB commit Tramell Jones also plays.
“It plays a factor,” Ffrench said of his teammate being committed to the Seminoles. “Definitely with the type of QB he is and skill set for sure.”
Ffrench is the No. 3 player in the state of Florida for his class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, and the No. 4 receiver in the country. He is listed at 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds.
“Visit went great, camp went great,” the four-star recruit said. “Just getting back to Tallahassee’s always great.”
Ffrench said the message from the Florida State coaches stayed the same throughout camp.
“Stay focused, keep working, and I’ll be where I want to be,” he said.
Ffrench plans to try to come back to Tallahassee for a game this fall, preferably Miami. As for where Florida State stands in his recruitment, the Mandarin wideout said he is high on the ‘Noles.
“Definitely top 5,” he said. “Real high. Real high.”
Other Recruits Sound off About FSU
2025 four-star Max Buchanan of Sanford Seminole
On visit and camp: “It was good. I liked it a lot. Glad I was able to make it out here today.”
What was the coaches’ message: “I just had a really long conversation with Coach Rat (director of player relations Keiwan Ratliff), and it was a lot of being truthful. That’s what it is here. They are very truthful in what they need, and I have noticed that a lot.”
Where does Florida State stand: “I would say they’re pretty high. I’ve always loved it here. I always feel welcomed coming back.”
When will you be back?: “I want to come back for a game. If I can’t, then I need to figure something out.”
What makes FSU unique: “They tell it to you black and white. If I need to get this done, I need to get this done. They’ve always been like that since my freshman year. I’ve always liked that about all their coaches.”
Other Schools Mentioned: Ole Miss, Auburn, Clemson, UCF
3-star QB and FSU Commit Tramell Jones of Jacksonville
On being back: “It’s just good to be home, have a refresher. It’s just great. You see the camaraderie they have here. So that’s great to see.”
On QBs coach Tony Tokarz: “He’s always pushing you to be the best — little details, that’s what he’s focusing on.”
On throwing a long pass to Ffrench during the camp: “He’s been asking me that, ever since we found out we were coming here. He was like, ‘Just give me a good ball, and I’ll go get it.’ I was like alright I got you. And then Coach Tokarz was like, ‘Coach Norvell said this was the last one’ … so he was just like, ‘Air it out, air it out.’ So that’s what I did. … When we come here, that’s what we are going to be doing here in the ‘Nole stadium.”
On recruiting Ffrench: “Alabama’s pulling him hard, but we definitely have a chance for sure. … If he wants to be coached by the best, come here. If he wants somebody who really wants him, come here.”
On other visits: “Nah, I’m done. I had some earlier. I went to Georgia, Alabama, but that was pretty much it.”
3-Star OT Kavion Broussard of Louisiana
On visit and camp: “It went good, I had a good time.”
Where does Florida State stand: “They got a high ranking for me. My recruitment is still open, so I’ve just got to keep visiting. And then as I keep liking, I’ll make a Top 5.”
What stands out about FSU: “They coaches … the coaches just keep everything real. They just tell you the truth.”
3-Star DL D’Nas White of North Carolina
On camp and visit: “It went good. Went over a few different things.”
What coach did you talk to and what was his message: “It was Coach Odell [Haggins]. Hust work on the stuff I need to work on.”
When will you be back: “I don’t know. I’ll do my official visit in the fall, probably for a game.”
Where does FSU stand: “They’re in Top 5, yeah.”
3-star DE Elias Williams of Hudson, Fla.
On camp and the visit: “The camp was really good. I got to learn a lot of new things to help me improve on my game and also take it back to my team. … So it really helps. It was a really good camp. Took care of us a lot. They made sure that we always got anything we needed, and nobody was left behind. It was a great camp overall.”
How did you hold up against the top competition: “I think I did really good. Was also learning things that day and implementing them in the one-on-ones. I’m pretty sure I did pretty good. I still have a couple things to work on like Coach said. You can’t really master a move in one rep, you know. You have to take thousands, which I’m OK with. I’m a patient kid.”
Where are you in your recruiting process: “As of right now, I’m like almost there. … December 1st, I will be announcing my commitment. But that’s kind of like the deadline. If I see a school I really like and nothing is stopping me, I might commit in the middle of the season. I might commit then. But I just want to give these schools, like the schools that I’m visiting this summer, a chance.”
Other official visits planned: Kansas, Indiana, Missouri
Where does FSU stand: “They stand pretty up there. I mean everything they’re doing is the right thing to do. They want to build a relationship with me outside. They’re worried about me not just on the field but how I’m doing as a young man and also how I’m doing in the classroom, which is really important to me.”
Do you have an official visit planned for FSU? “November 11th. I will be back here for when they play Miami.”
***Get all the latest FSU recruiting news first on our Premium Recruiting Board.***
The post Elite Camp Insider: 4-Star offensive tackle, others sound off about FSU event appeared first on On3.
