In one of the most dramatic recruiting twists of the season, 4-star running back Amari Thomas has once again flipped his commitment — this time back to Florida State, the program he originally pledged to before briefly siding with South Carolina. The move sent shockwaves across both fanbases, marking Thomas as one of the most unpredictable recruitment stories of the 2025 cycle.
Thomas, a powerful and explosive back with SEC-ready size, had committed to Florida State months ago before stunning the recruiting world by flipping to South Carolina this fall. The Gamecocks believed they had secured one of the crown jewels of their offensive class — a dynamic playmaker who could elevate their run game for years to come.
But on Thursday, Thomas rewrote the script again.
With a single announcement, he decommitted from South Carolina and returned to his original commitment at Florida State, leaving Gamecock fans frustrated and Florida State fans celebrating the return of a player they never stopped recruiting.
What Led to the Second Flip?
While Thomas didn’t go into full detail publicly, sources around his recruitment point to a few likely factors:
- Long-standing relationships with Florida State staff who never backed off, even after his flip to USC.
- Immediate impact opportunity in FSU’s offense, which continues to emphasize explosive, physical rushing attacks.
- A push from Florida State’s current commits and surrounding peer group who maintained close ties to Thomas.
South Carolina, meanwhile, made a strong impression during his brief commitment, but the pull of Tallahassee ultimately proved too strong.
A Tough Blow for South Carolina’s 2025 Class
For Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks, losing Thomas — especially after once securing his flip — is a major setback. Carolina invested significant energy into building momentum with top-tier offensive playmakers, and Thomas was considered a potential centerpiece for the future.
Still, Beamer’s staff has remained aggressive on the recruiting trail, and the Gamecocks are expected to pursue additional running back targets as National Signing Day approaches.
Florida State Regains a Prize Recruit
With the flip back to FSU, the Seminoles regain a high-upside playmaker who fits their offensive vision perfectly. Thomas brings:
- Elite acceleration and burst
- Strong downhill running ability
- Playmaking versatility as both a runner and pass-catcher
FSU fans wasted no time celebrating, calling the move “the RETURN” and embracing Thomas as a major addition to an already strong class.
The Bottom Line
Amari Thomas’ recruitment journey has been one of the wildest of the cycle — a flip to South Carolina, followed by a stunning flip back to Florida State.
For now, FSU gets its guy.
South Carolina regroups.
And Thomas becomes one of the most talked-about recruits in the country once again.
