On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine: New leader for 4-star S Xavier Filsaime

McKinney (Texas) four-star safety Xavier Filsaime announced a top five of USC, Oregon, Florida, LSU and Georgia on March 29. According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, the Gators are now heavily trending for his commitment.

Florida’s odds to land Filsaime are currently at 85.9% following an expert prediction from Corey Bender of Gators Online. The 5-foot-11.5, 180-pound defensive back has visited Gainesville multiple times and is returning on April 13 for the Orange and Blue game.

“That’s a visit definitely to keep a close eye on,” Bender said. “As far as Florida, he actually grew up in Orlando, so he calls the state of Florida home. He thinks there’s a big cultural shift under Billy Napier. He thought there’s a homely feel between the players and the coaches. It’s just a very comforting feel. He also mentioned Austin Armstrong with him calling the defense, that Florida should flourish underneath his guidance and how is everything is trending up defensively. I think there’s a handful of things that Florida checks off.”

Filsaime is the No. 28 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 is also the No. 6 player in Texas.

“It was just crazy,” Filsaime told On3’s Hayes Fawcett about the Gators. “I loved how they treated me. I’m from Florida, so it felt nice being back home on my visit. Also, I loved how the team just had this strong chemistry and energy.”

Filsaime would boost Florida’s already strong 2024 class

Landing Filsaime would mark a massive recruiting win for Napier, Armstrong and the rest of Florida’s staff. At the moment, the Gators have a commitment from one safety in the 2024 cycle: Nashville (Ga.) Berrien three-star Josiah Davis.

Meanwhile, Florida’s 2024 recruiting class contains five players. The group ranks No. 3 in the 2024 On3 Industry Recruiting Rankings and No. 3 in the SEC.

Three Florida pledges are top-100 recruits in Willis (Texas) four-star quarterback DJ Lagway, Atlanta (Ga.) Woodward Academy four-star linebacker Myles Graham and Largo (Fla.) four-star linebacker Adarius Hayes. The Gators also have a commitment from North Palm Beach (Fla.) The Benjamin School four-star running back Chauncey Bowens.

“… I’m trying to get the best guys in the class with me,” Lagway told On3’s Chad Simmons on March 13. “Without the players around me, I can’t do anything. I’m trying to get the best receivers, best running backs, best linemen, best linebackers, all of it. I’m really just trying to bring that success back that the fans deserve.”