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.
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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.
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.
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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.
