Tag: Willis McGahee IV

Friday Night Notes: Florida lands 5-star DB, Malik Blocton names his top 10 schools and more

The most significant recruitment of the week happened Thursday, when the Florida Gators got a commitment from one of the top safeties in Texas.

USA TODAY High School Sports‘ Friday Night Notes is a weekly high school recruiting recap that looks at the latest news from around the country—from the Class of 2023 to ’24 and beyond.

The Florida Gators earned themselves the biggest recruiting prize of the week on Thursday when they got a commitment from one of the top-ranked defensive backs in the recruiting class of 2024.

Here’s how McKinney (Texas) five-star safety Xavier Filsaime announced that he’s on his way to the swamp.

Filsaime had offers from 32 other programs, including Georgia, Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ole Miss and Pitt.

Asked why he picked the Gators, he told Hayes Fawcett at On3 he feels close with Billy Napier’s staff and likes how they plan to use him.

“What really stood out is 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 the plan on using me in their defense is not really much different from my high school coaches. Playing man, zone, and a lot more blitzing with me.”

Going by the composite rankings, Filsaime (6-foot-1, 180 pounds) is currently No. 2 among safeties in his class behind Buford (Ga.)’s uncommitted star, KJ Bolden. He’s also the No. 7 ranked recruit in the state of Texas and No. 36 overall in his class.

That makes seven hard commits for Florida’s class of 2024. Filsaime is the second-highest ranked prospect behind Willis (Texas) five-star quarterback DJ Lagway. This group ranks No. 6 in the nation.

For more Florida football news, follow USA TODAY’s Gators Wire.

Elite recruits scheduled to visit Tennessee for 2023 Orange & White Game

A look at the top recruits visiting Tennessee for the 2023 Orange & White Game on Saturday.

Tennessee will conclude spring practices on Saturday with its annual Orange & White Game at Neyland Stadium.

Kickoff is slated for 2:30 p.m. EDT and can be watched on SEC Network+.

PHOTOS: Tennessee’s Orange & White Game through the years

Multiple top recruiting targets for the Vols have announced their plans to visit Tennessee this weekend for the Orange & White Game.

The Vols currently have eight commitments in the class of 2024. Tennessee’s class ranks seventh nationally and fourth in the Southeastern Conference. Tennessee landed three commitments last week in Gage Ginther, Jesse Perry and Shamar Arnoux.

Below are top recruits who are scheduled to visit Tennessee for the 2023 Orange & White Game.

Willis McGahee IV schedules visit to Tennessee

Willie McGahee IV will take his first visit to Tennessee.

Four-star edge rusher Willis McGahee IV announced intentions to visit Tennessee on April 15.

It will be his first visit to Tennessee this year.

The 6-foot-2, 225-pound edge rusher is from Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, Florida.

McGahee IV is the No. 399 overall prospect in the class of 2024. He ranks as the No. 30 edge rusher nationally and No. 57 player in the state of Florida, according to the On3 rankings.

McGahee IV finished his junior season with 80 total tackles, 13 sacks and five forced fumbles. He is the son of former NFL running back Willis McGahee.

He plans to also take spring visits to Florida, UCF and Nebraska. McGahee IV most recently visited Texas on March 25.

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Gators hosting son of legendary Miami RB for Orange and Blue Game

The Gators are targeting the son of a legendary Miami running back and getting him on campus for the Orange and Blue game.

Columbus (Miami, Florida) linebacker [autotag]Willis McGahee IV[/autotag] announced the dates for five spring visits on Thursday morning, and the Florida Gators are set to play host to him on April 13 for the Orange and Blue Game.

If McGahee’s name sounds familiar, it’s because he’s the son of the former Miami Hurricanes and NFL running back of the same name. That star power has naturally brought some attention to his son, even though he plays on the other side of the ball.

The Gators haven’t extended an offer yet to McGahee, but there’s a chance that one comes during the visit. Coaches will fairly busy during the game, but a post-game meeting with Napier might not be out of the question. He most recently stopped by the Swamp in January for one of the team’s Junior Days.

The other stops on McGahee’s list right now are Texas on March 25, UCF on April 14, Tennessee on April 15 and Nebraska on April 22. That three-day stretch of three schools could end up working against Florida as recency bias takes over.

McGahee is a four-star recruit on 247Sports’ individual ranking but he’s only a three-star talent on the composite rankings and On3 industry ranking, which has him at No. 399 overall in the class of 2024 and No. 30 among edge rushers. 247Sports has him as high as No. 232 nationally and No. 24 among linebackers in the class.

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