This weekend as Florida State fell to 1-9 on the season, Mike Norvell started his shakeup of the Seminoles Coaching Staff. Mike Norvell fired his offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Alex Atkins, his defensive coordinator Adam Fuller, and his wide receivers coach Ron Dugans. Changes needed to be made at Florida State but, as Florida State's recruiting class has been picked apart it may have not been the best time.
The firing of Alex Atkins in particular is a firing that LSU is likely looking at as a chance to benefit on the recruiting trail.
Alex Atkins went up against Brad Davis on two massive recruitments in particular for five-star offensive lineman Solomon Thomas and four-star offensive lineman Mario Nash. Solomon Thomas put his thoughts on the firing out there supporting the coach that recruited him on twitter.
Ngl yall messed up firing my coach@CoachAAtkins 🤞🏾@FSUFootball pic.twitter.com/LEln6Mt4fj
— Solomon “LIL SOL” Thomas🥼 (@SolomonThomas2x) November 11, 2024
Mario Nash also shared his thoughts as well and also voiced his disappointment about the firing of Atkins.
It’s really heartbreaking to hear @CoachAAtkins has been fired by @FSUFootball. Coach Atkins is family to me and I really believe in him as a man and Coach. I want the best for him and his family. I’m remaining committed at this time. pic.twitter.com/DeKapigMMm
— Mario Nash Jr ⭐️ (@BigNash_77) November 11, 2024
Given that both players were disappointed in the firing of Atkins, it gives LSU a shot at reopening the relationships they built with Nash and Thomas to see if they're able to pull off a flip. Of the two recruits, Solomon Thomas seems like the one that LSU would have the best shot at flipping while neither will be easy.
Nash had recently reopened his recruitment and quickly chose Florida State over LSU and Mississippi State. Thomas on the other hand is a player who LSU had on campus this Spring and it seemed like they had a chance at flipping him but, were never able to pull off the flip. Thomas is ranked by On3's Industry Recruiting Rankings as the 25th ranked player in the class, the 2nd ranked interior offensive lineman, and the 4th ranked player in Florida.