Elite DB Xavier Filsaime Commits to Florida Gators

Top 50 national recruit pledges to the Florida Gators at the Orange and Blue Spring Game.

Well-renowned defensive backs coach Corey Raymond strikes again.

The Florida Gators have landed a commitment from elite caliber safety prospect Xavier Filsaime, the borderline consensus five-star announced via Hayes Fawcett of On3 Sports at halftime of the Orange and Blue game on Thursday.

Filsaime chose the Gators over Georgia, LSU, Oregon and USC, who made up the remainder of a recently released top five.

Rated as the nation's No. 2 safety and No. 36 overall player per the 247Sports Composite rankings at this time, Filsaime has showcased vast athleticism as a versatile piece for McKinney High School over the past three seasons. 

Seeing time on both sides of the ball dating back to his freshman year — albeit limited in year one and continuously growing since — the  6-foot-1, 180-pound athlete possesses a high upside as a multi-faceted safety prospect at the next level. He comes with length, speed and multi-sport experience on his resume. 

Raymond covets each trait when pinning down talent to equip his secondary room with.

Filsaime presents the prototypical build for a starting power five third-level defender. He accompanies his size with impressive closing speed when working downhill against ball carriers and coverage skills to match up both man-to-man with slot receivers and tight ends when called upon.

That's not to mention his knack as a playmaker when operating in one or two-high zone coverage, whether it results in closing on the ball or delivering momentum hits to would-be pass catchers.

His range in that regard will be a breath of fresh air in the Gators' backend next season and beyond, especially as newly minted defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong looks to utilize aggressive tendencies from a pressure perspective.

Filsaime becomes the seventh commit in the class of 2024, alongside fellow safety Josiah Davis and linebackers Myles Graham and Adarius Hayes on the defensive side of the ball. 

He is also the second Texas prospect to pledge himself to the Gators this cycle, joining franchise quarterback commit DJ Lagway. The Lone Star state duo are Florida's top two rated recruits heading out of the spring and will likely highlight the class on their respective side of the ball for the long haul.

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