The Florida fan base at-large is rapidly discovering what a vote of confidence — and a few victories — can do for a recruiting class.

With the start of the NCAA’s early signing period barely more than a week away, the Gators’ 11th-hour recruiting surge continued Tuesday when Fort Lauderdale four-star running back Byron Louis announced he’s flipping his non-binding commitment from FSU to Florida. His declaration came nine days after another FSU pledge — three-star quarterback Tramell Jones — announced he instead plans to sign with the Gators.

More flips could be forthcoming. On3.com’s Chad Simmons reported Monday that ’Noles five-star pledge Solomon Thomas — an interior offensive lineman from Jacksonville — now is considering Florida and LSU in addition to FSU.

“I am feeling good about Florida State,” Thomas told On3.com. “Of course, the narrative has changed with the coaching changes and the (2-9) record this season, but I still have my relationship with Coach (Mike) Norvell. I don’t know who he will hire to coach the offensive line, so that will be the determining factor leading up to signing day.”

The Gators’ late recruiting rally has coincided with athletic director Scott Stricklin’s announcement on Nov. 7 that Napier would remain UF coach. At that point, UF’s 2025 recruiting class ranked 50th nationally according to 247Sports.

Today, following consecutive upsets of LSU and Ole Miss, it is 17th in both the 247Sports and On3.com rankings. FSU’s is ranked 45th and 31st, respectively, by the two recruiting services. The Gators currently have 19 high school pledges, FSU 12.

Whether those rankings hold steady in the recruiting season’s waning days may depend in part on the outcome of Saturday night’s Gators-’Noles showdown. Recruits can’t formally sign with a school until Wednesday, Dec. 4, four days after the clash in Tallahassee.

“I would say that it is the most important game of the year,” Napier said Monday. “Not just because it’s the next one, but I do think there’s a ton at stake here.”