Some good news in recruiting might have gotten lost in another disappointing weekend on the field for the South Carolina football team. Before the Gamecocks took the field against Texas A&M, a big-time player in the class of 2025 announced his ten finalists.
Jacksonville, Florida offensive tackle Solomon Thomas announced a top-10 that included the South Carolina football program.
BREAKING: Elite 2025 OT Solomon Thomas is down to 🔟 Schools!
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) October 27, 2023
The 6’4 313 OT from Jacksonville, FL is ranked as a Top 32 Player in the ‘25 Class (No. 3 OT)
Where Should He Go?👇🏽https://t.co/3NqYaQAG27 pic.twitter.com/RilBwaiVCX
Thomas’ top-10 included South Carolina, Arkansas, Georgia, Miami, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Ohio State, Florida, Florida State, and LSU.
As a recruit, Thomas is a 5-star prospect according to the 247Sports composite rankings, and he is ranked inside the top-66 players nationally by all four major recruiting outlets (247Sports, On3, ESPN, and Rivals).
At 6’4″ and 315 pounds, Thomas recently hit a growth spurt to reach those measurables. With another year and a half remaining before he graduates high school, more growth is not out of the realm of possibility. Formerly viewed as a player who would end up on the interior, he is now believed to be capable of playing inside or outside at the next level.
On the field, Solomon Thomas is a freakish athlete for a player of his size. He uses his athleticism to be one of the fiercest run blockers you will ever see on a high school field. Thomas can destroy a down defensive lineman who has the misfortune of lining up across from him, he can pull as a lead blocker to the second level (clearing out anything in his way), and he blocks until the whistle.
Thomas plays with a very obvious mean streak, something that can go a long way for an offensive lineman. When watching his film, it is easy to think you are watching the same play over and over again because every highlight ends with him finishing a block with a defender on the turf. He is a high-effort player, too, something of a rarity for big fellas on the gridiron.
If Thomas can continue to grow as a pass blocker (and his impressive strength and athleticism indicate that he can), he will be, at minimum, a very good offensive lineman at the next level.
Ironically nicknamed “Lil’ Sol,” the Jacksonville native is one of the most sought-after players in the class of 2025, so South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer and his staff will have their work cut out for them in trying to land Thomas.
You can watch some of his film here.