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New OL Commit! FSU flips OL Chavez 'Sandman' Thompson after official visit

On3 imageby:Michael Langston•about 9 hours•

MichaelWarchant

On3 image

The Florida State Seminoles have been working to land a center for the future of their offensive line, and they may have done just that with a commitment Wednesday night from three-star prospect Chavez “Sandman” Thompson.

Thompson, who was committed to FIU, told Warchant that he has flipped to the Seminoles instead. He is Florida State’s 22nd pledge for the class of 2025.

“FSU was the place for me because of the coaching staff and their hospitality towards me and my family,” said Thompson, who recently took his official visit to Florida State. “I knew it was FSU the minute I stepped on campus.”

Thompson’s commitment likely wouldn’t have happened if not for Florida State hiring OL coach Herb Hand last month. The two had a previous relationship from when Hand was at UCF and recruited the lineman there.

Then once he met the rest of the Seminoles’ staff, Thompson knew it was home.

“The coaches were all pumped up and fired up when I told them,” Thompson told Warchant. “Coach Hand has produced top-level offensive linemen consistently throughout his coaching years, and I know he can do the same with me.”

*ALSO SEE: Thompson previews FSU official visit

Early in the recruiting process, Thompson committed to Oregon and stayed that way for a year before opting to switch to FIU.

The Cocoa High standout, who started his prep career at Melbourne Eau Gallie, is coming off a strong senior season in which he helped Cocoa win its third straight state championship. Thompson was credited with 33 pancake blocks during that run.

Thompson, who told Warchant that his “Sandman” nickname actually dates back to his childhood when he liked playing in the sand, said Florida State’s coaches told him they love his nastiness on the field.

“I block to the echo of the whistle,” Thompson said. “Play nasty, dirty and physical.”

At Cocoa, the three-star lineman also was a teammate of incoming Florida State freshman and four-star WR Jayvan Boggs, who has already enrolled at FSU.

Thompson becomes the Seminoles’ third offensive line commitment in their 2025 recruiting class. FSU also signed four offensive linemen from the transfer portal.

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