Xavier Filsaime flips from Florida to the Texas Longhorns
The Texas Longhorns have flipped one of the top prospects in the nation. On3 Industry Ranking four-star safety Xavier Filsaime is a Longhorn after he flipped his commitment from Florida to Texas.
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The 6-foot-0.5, 190-pound McKinney High standout made an unofficial visit to Texas with his father November 22 to watch the Longhorns practice. He then followed up with a two-day unofficial visit to Florida to watch the Gators final game preparation and rivalry game against Florida State.
Filsaime welcomed both Florida and Texas coaches into his home over the past week before flipping to the Longhorns during an official visit December 15-17.
Filsaime originally committed to Florida in late April of 2023 over more than 30 offers. He then made June official visits to Florida and Georgia before reaffirming his commitment to the Gators.
Filsaime played more wide receiver than any other position as a sophomore for McKinney High. He posted 35 receptions for 463 yards and two scores in 2021. He followed up with a 5-6A first-team selection at safety in 2022. The Florida native posted a personal best 100-meter time of 10.52 FAT as a sophomore, along with long jumping 22-0.75.
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How he fits at Texas:
It’s rare for an athlete of Filsaime’s quality to have so many snaps at safety this early in his career. Usually someone with sub-11.00 100m speed (10.52 as a sophomore) is playing cornerback or offense rather than using that speed to erase angles as a deep, field safety. Yet this is where Filsaime has already found himself in his football career.
At Texas, he might get a look at nickel due to his combination of physicality, awareness, and the speed which allows him to turn and run with receivers in man coverage. He’s about 6-foot-0 already, will be 200 pounds in no time once he hits campus (around 180 now), and one of his best current attributes besides pure speed is his willingness to close distance and tackle. Ultimately he may end up at field safety and erase space for offenses as a deep defender but I wouldn’t be surprised if he got a look at Star (nickel) first to make sure his athleticism and play smarts translate at that “do it all” position. – Ian Boyd
Coach Says:
Strengths — Good height and mass for the position with room to add bulk. Plays mostly field safety on highlights in a two-high scheme. Extremely intelligent on the field with quick diagnosis and reaction. Consistently good eye discipline. Anticipates the routes and sees the combinations early. Drives decisively and is coming at the play in a hurry. Acceleration is above average to an elite top end speed to match his sub-11.00 100m time in track. Is consistently the fastest guy on the tape. Will match up any receiver. Very willing to get physical in the run game and will take on, but not accept, run blockers willingly. More than a few instances of a good breakdown and a healthy pop on contact. He’s obviously worked on tackling. Has extensive special teams experience and will start there early. Depending on how much he commits and how easily the playbook comes to him, I could see him as an early starter. Opponent highlights clearly avoid him.
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Areas for Improvement — Would like to see more ball skills on tape. Have no evidence the skills are bad, but the film is limited.
