Amari Thomas Trending Toward Gamecocks After FSU Departure, Spotlight Shifts to Seminoles RB Coach
It’s looking more and more likely that former Florida State running back commit Amari Thomas is heading to Columbia. The four-star prospect out of Northwest Florida (Blountstown/Marianna) is expected to officially flip to South Carolina in the coming week or two, just as many predicted.
Thomas had been the only running back commit in FSU’s 2025 class, which makes his departure particularly significant for a program that values depth in the backfield. His exit leaves a noticeable void, especially after five-star RB Derrek Cooper — another major FSU target — committed to Texas over the weekend.
There’s still a chance FSU could circle back to Cooper if circumstances change, but even that feels like a long shot. “Obviously, there is no official end to a recruitment until the prospect puts pen to paper (and even THAT doesn’t matter these days),” the source noted, hinting that the transfer portal era has rewritten the rules of commitment.
Still, it’s unclear whether the Seminoles can offer Cooper a competitive NIL package to rival what Texas brought to the table — especially after pouring resources into landing Ousmane Kromah, a highly-rated freshman RB. That said, Mike Norvell may need to rethink his strategy: “You can’t have too many elite players,” one analyst emphasized. “A backfield of Cooper and Kromah instantly ranks among the nation’s best and could change the narrative surrounding the program.”
Spotlight on David Johnson: FSU’s RB Coach Faces Pressure
Behind the scenes, questions are mounting around David Johnson, FSU’s running backs coach and recruiting coordinator since Norvell’s arrival. While he’s landed some big names, the results have been uneven.
Most of FSU’s current running back room is made up of transfers, including Roydell Williams and Gavin Sawchuk. The few homegrown talents have had mixed results. Lawrence Toafili was a bright spot, but Rodney Hill transferred after just one season, and Kam Davis struggled during a forgettable freshman campaign.
Though Norvell often gets the credit for landing Kromah, insiders say Johnson was deeply involved in that recruitment. “I’m not suggesting Johnson IS on the hot seat,” the report stated, “but it’s a question worth exploring.”
His once-vaunted recruiting ties in Louisiana haven’t panned out as hoped — “more often than not, it’s been a waste of resources or a letdown,” especially in the case of Destyn Hill.
And now, with Gus Malzahn bringing a fresh offensive scheme to Tallahassee, Johnson’s future could be on the line. If Malzahn sees early success, expect him to push for players — and coaches — that fit his vision. Johnson could be in the crosshairs if RB recruiting doesn’t take a major step forward.
