USA TODAY high school sportsFriday Night Notes is a weekly roundup of high school recruiting that looks at the latest news from around the country – from the class of 2023 to ’24 and beyond.
The The Florida Gators earned themselves the biggest recruiting award of the week on Thursday when they received a commitment from one of the top-ranked defensive backs in the 2024 recruiting class.
That’s how McKinney (Texas) five-star safety Xavier Filsaime announced he was headed to the swamp.
Mom, I’m coming home… #GoGators 🫶🏾@GatorsFB pic.twitter.com/pAAHy6nOjf
— Xavier Filsaime🇭🇹 (@XEF_19) April 14, 2023
Filsaime had offers from 32 other programs, incl Georgia, Alabama, chestnutstate of florida, LSU, Michigan, Notre DameOle Miss and Pitt.
Asked why he chose the Gators, he said Hayes Fawcett on On3 he feels close to Billy Napier’s staff and likes the way they plan to use him.
“What really stood out was the vibe and chemistry I had with the coaches when I first met them in person … I’m close with a few guys … Coach CJ, Joe Hamilton and Coach Armstrong are the main guys I really talk to on a regular basis. But the way they plan to use me in their defense isn’t really that much different than my high school coaches. I play man, zone and many more shining with me.”
According to the combine rankings, Filsaime (6-foot-1, 180 pounds) is currently #2 among safeties in his class behind uncommitted Buford (Ga.) star KJ Bolden. He is also ranked No. 7 in the state of Texas and No. 36 overall in his class.
That makes seven difficult engagements for Florida’s Class of 2024 Filsaime is the second-highest ranked prospect behind five-star Willis (Texas) quarterback DJ Lagway. This group ranks 6th in the country.
For more Florida football news, follow USA TODAY’s Gators Wire.
Nebraska among schools pushing for son of Willis McGahee
Andrew Ivins, 247 Sports
Speaking of Florida, the son of former running back Willis McGahee is preparing for a college career of his own, now 10 years after the former Miami Hurricane retired from the NFL.
Willis McGahee IV plays linebacker for Columbus (Fla.). According to the composite ranking, he is #44 among defenders in its class, No. 69 overall in the state and No. 475 nationally.
According to 247Sports, McGahee has offers from 19 different programs, including Auburn, Indiana, Michigan and Tennessee.
McGahee is currently on a recruiting tour, recently visiting Florida, UCF and Tennessee. He’ll then head to the spring game at Nebraska — where coach Matt Ruhl is trying to build his third college winner after successful stops at Temple and Baylor and a less successful one with the Carolina Panthers.
For now, On3 designed UCF (30.8%), Auburn (26.9%), Nebraska (32.1%) and Tennessee (10.1%) as the leaders in a tight race to earn his commitment.
You can read more at Cornhuskers Wire.
4-star DL Malik Blocton rounds out the top 10
Hale McGranahan, 247 Sports
As a junior, Pike Road (Alabama) four-star linebacker Malik Blockton helped lead his team to a Class 5A state championship, recording 54 tackles and six sacks.
Now he’s getting ready to move on to college football, naming his top 10 schools: Alabama, Auburn, ArkansasGeorgia Tech, Oregon, ClemsonFlorida, Texas, Georgia and South Carolina.
Top 10. pic.twitter.com/i8tAyMSHul
— THE REAPER⚰️ (@MalikBlocton) April 10, 2023
Blocton has a total of 33 offers, but according to The On3 prediction modelAuburn (where his brother plays) is the current commitment favorite at 52.5 percent, followed by Alabama (13.6 percent) and Clemson (11.7 percent).
247Sports has Blocton (6-foot-2, 268 pounds) ranked No. 34 among DLs in his class and No. 25 overall in Alabama.
You can read more at Roll Tide Wire.
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(Ernst Peters/The Ledger)
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