Three straight cycles of strong recruiting has Texas stocked at safety
The Longhorns took two true safeties in the 2022 class in Larry Turner-Gooden and BJ Allen Jr. Neither of those players lasted past the 2023 season, so Steve Sarkisian, Pete Kwiatkowski, and Blake Gideon had to make sure they made the most of safety recruiting in the ensuing three classes.
[Sign up for Inside Texas and get the BEST Longhorns scoop!]
With the addition of Jonah Williams on Saturday, the Longhorns are as well-stocked at the safety position as anyone in the country looking ahead to the 2025 season.
That’s in addition to the possible return of junior Michael Taaffe, who enters 2024 as a junior.
2023
Derek Williams, New Iberia (La.) Westgate
Williams was ranked as the No. 62 overall prospect, the No. 6 safety, and the No. 3 player in Louisiana. On3 ranked Williams as the No. 61 overall prospect, the No. 4 safety, and the No. 3 player in Louisiana.
In 2023, Williams had 42 tackles and two tackles for loss.
Jelani McDonald, Waco (Texas) Connally
McDonald was ranked as the No. 74 overall prospect, the No. 2 athlete, and the No. 15 player in Texas in the On3 Industry Ranking. On3 ranked McDonald as the No. 41 overall prospect, the No. 2 athlete, and the No. 7 player in Texas.
Top 10
- 1New
Record shattered
ND vs. OSU ticket prices
- 2
Litigation coming?
Wisconsin DB enrolls at Miami without entering portal
- 3
Doubling-down
Bill Belichick, unsigned UNC contract
- 4
Massive fine
Sun Belt fines Marshall for bowl opt out
- 5Hot
Dick Vitale
ESPN icon returning to mic
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
In 2023, McDonald tallied two tackles in special teams action.
2024
Xavier Filsaime, McKinney (Texas)
Filsaime was ranked as the No. 40 overall prospect, the No. 2 safety, and the No. 9 player in Texas.
On3 ranked Filsaime as the No. 60 overall prospect, the No. 5 safety, and the No. 13 player in Texas.
Jordon Johnson-Rubell, IMG Academy via Fort Worth (Texas)
Johnson-Rubell was ranked as the No. 365 overall prospect, the No. 34 safety, and the No. 46 player in Texas in the On3 Industry Ranking. On3 ranked Johnson-Rubell as the No. 55 safety and the No. 92 player in Florida.
[Subscribe to the Inside Texas YouTube channel and help get us to 10,000 subs!]
2025
Jonah Williams, Galveston (Texas) Ball
Williams is ranked as the No. 10 overall prospect, the No. 1 safety, and the No. 3 player in Texas in the On3 Industry Ranking. On3 ranks Williams as the No. 16 overall prospect, the No. 1 safety, and the No. 4 player in Texas.
