Florida State flips 2025 IOL Sandman Thompson from FIU

Melbourne (Fla.) Eau Gallie three-star interior offensive lineman Sandman Thompson has flipped his commitment from FIU to Florida State.

A one-time Oregon commit, Thompson was set to head to Miami to play for the Panthers. He then took an official visit to Tallahassee on the weekend of Jan. 11 and is now a late addition to FSU’s 2025 class.

Thompson is the No. 83 IOL and No. 133 player in Florida in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He ranks No. 1,075 overall.

With the Seminoles looking to add a center prospect to their class, Thompson emerged as a target and made his way to campus for an OV. That trip made FSU stand out even more. New offensive line coach Herb Hand has made an impression on Thompson.

“Amazing visit,” Thompson told Warchant after the trip. “Very genuine staff up here at Florida State.”

“Very knowledgeable,” he added of Hand. “Knows to create a true dominant center. I felt like a top priority, top person, and I’m wanted. That’s exactly how I felt, and they made that clear.”

Thompson becomes the third offensive lineman in Florida State’s class, joining De Kalb (Miss.) Kemper County four-star offensive tackle Mario Nash and Atlanta Riverwood three-star IOL Sean Poret.