Elite five-star safety Xavier Filsaime flipped his near-eight-month pledge from the Florida Gators to the Texas Longhorns on Monday.
The action was taken in response to Filsaime’s formal visit to Texas from December 15–17, the last weekend before Wednesday’s Early National Signing Day. Consequently, Florida forfeits one of its three marquee commitments for the 2024 class, which also included defensive end LJ McCray and quarterback DJ Lagway. Filsaime leaves the country’s No. 5 class after the Gators fired defensive line coach Sean Spencer and secondary coach Corey Raymond on November 27.
The native of Orlando, Florida, was projected to play a key role in the back end of the Gators secondary after racking up 154 tackles, nine pass breakups, two interceptions, five forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries in 24 games at McKinney High. He was ranked as the nation’s No. 29 overall prospect and No. 2 safety by 247Sports Composite.
Filsaime had the chance to compete for Florida’s starting free safety position with rising sophomore Bryce Thornton as soon as he arrived on campus in Gainesville because of his remarkable sideline-to-sideline range and knack for delivering blows while working downhill against ball carriers or would-be pass catchers. He would still play a significant role in the rotation to support Jordan Castell, the ESPN Freshman All-American strong safety, even if Thornton prevailed.
Filsaime had the chance to compete for Florida’s starting free safety position with rising sophomore Bryce Thornton as soon as he arrived on campus in Gainesville because of his remarkable sideline-to-sideline range and knack for delivering blows while working downhill against ball carriers or would-be pass catchers. He would still play a significant role in the rotation to support Jordan Castell, the ESPN Freshman All-American strong safety, even if Thornton prevailed.
In recent weeks, Florida has persisted in its efforts to recruit the safety, even making it the first stop on Will Harris’s recruiting route when he started working for the Gators as a defensive backs coach. It was insufficient, though, to maintain Filsaime in the class. With cornerback Teddy Foster and safety Josiah Davis as commits in the secondary for the 2024 recruiting class, the Gators advance.
