Florida, Texas battling for Gators 5-star safety commit Xavier Filsaime: 'I think it's a coin flip'

Texas is not letting up in its pursuit of McKinney (Texas) five-star safety and Florida commit Xavier Filsaime. With National Signing Day less than two weeks out, the Longhorns are keeping their foot on the gas.

Filsaime has taken multiple visits to Austin this fall and is now set to cap things off with an official visit to The Forty Acres from Dec. 15-17. Head coach Steve Sarkisian and safeties coach Blake Gideon also went in-home to visit Filsaime earlier this week.

With momentum seemingly in the hands of the in-state school, Florida insider Corey Bender sees the race for Filsaime as neck-and-neck down the stretch. Upcoming visits and Billy Napier’s next coaching staff additions could be vital to the Gators’ chances of holding on to the elite defensive back.

“I think right now it’s mostly a coin flip for me,” Bender said on The Inside Scoop.

All the momentum with the Longhorns

On the recruiting trail, Texas has continued to add elite pieces to its 2024 class. Florida still checks in ahead of the Longhorns in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings, but the Gators have lost multiple blue-chip pledges this fall, including Marrero (La.) John Ehret four-star cornerback Wardell Mack, who flipped to Texas on Nov. 12.

Texas is gearing up to play in the College Football Playoff, while Florida missed out on a bowl game. The Gators have also dismissed defensive backs coach Corey Raymond, who was helping lead UF’s recruitment of Filsaime.

Still, the 6-foot, 185-pounder remains committed to Florida. Napier is likely to make an in-home visit before Filsaime makes his OV to Texas next week. Both visits could tilt the scale in either program’s favor.

“I know (Filsaime) loves Florida, it was his favorite school growing up, he has family ties to the Orlando are where his mother lives. Florida — given where everything is and Corey Raymond being dismissed — you would look at his recruitment and Florida’s success on the field and you’d think ‘this guy is definitely going to decommit,'” Bender said.

…It really shows where his heart is with Florida. It’s not going to be easy to flip him, but it’s probably 50-50 right now. I truly think it’s a coin flip, I don’t even think Xavier knows where he wants to go, so I think that in-home and obviously that official visit in Austin is going to be a huge factor.”

Florida’s DBs coach hire could sway Filsaime

Florida is still yet to announce its next defensive backs coach, but whoever takes over for Raymond could become instrumental in keeping Filsaime pledged to the Gators. With Texas pushing and NSD just 11 days away, each and every day will be critical.

“There’s always that chance. I think right now he’s almost trying to find a reason to stay with Florida,” Bender said. “Texas is clicking on all cylinders on the field, recruiting is going well, so, when you’re a five-star prospect, you have to look at it as more of a business decision — especially nowadays. I know the kid definitely has a difficult decision to make, regardless of where his heart is, but I think that DBs coach hire is going to play a huge role in where he ultimately lands.”

Filsaime is the No. 32 overall prospect and No. 2 safety in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s currently one of three five-stars in Florida’s No. 5 recruiting class in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. Texas continues to lurk with the No. 7 class and a five-star trio of their own.