Texas Football: Position-by-position grades for UT's 2024 signing class

Defensive back

Xavier Filsaime, S (5-Star, McKinney (TX)

Texas has signed two absolutely elite defensive back classes in the last two recruiting cycles. Headlined by the elite five-star McKinney (TX) and recent flip from the Florida Gators, Xavier Filsaime, Texas might have a better DB class this cycle than they did last.

Filsaime was an incredibly-important and impactful flip for the Longhorns from Florida on Dec. 18. The athletic and rangy 6-foot and 185-pound free safety will immediately compete for a spot on the two-deep during spring ball. Filsaime will push for a starting spot at safety next season, potentially alongside true freshman Derek Williams Jr.

Kobe Black, CB (4-Star, Waco (TX) Connally)

Another immediate impact defensive back the Longhorns got a public commitment from late in the cycle before signing day was the elite four-star Waco (TX) Connally cornerback Kobe Black.

Texas is getting a big and physical 6-foot-2 and 200-pound DB who can compete for starting reps right away at boundary corner next spring, with redshirt junior boundary corner Ryan Watts potentially headed to the NFL Draft in 2024.

Wardell Mack, CB (Marrero (LA) John Ehret)

Louisiana four-star cornerback Wardell Mack is a potential future stud for the Longhorns at the field spot. The athletic and fluid 6-foot and 170-pound corner with a 34-inch+ wingspan should be a significant part of the two-deep at corner by 2025 at the latest.

Santana Wilson, CB (Scottsdale (AZ) Desert Mountain)

An uber-underrated get for the Longhorns at cornerback, Arizona four-star Santana Wilson is the son of former NFL DB Adrian Wilson. Santana was a great pickup for the Longhorns in the 2024 class during the summer.

Wilson checks most of the boxes you'd want from a stout one-on-one cover corner coming out of high school. He's got the requisite length, at 6-foot-1 and 175-pounds, along with good straight-line speed and good hips.

Jordon Johnson-Rubell, S (IMG Academy)

Among the most versatile defensive backs who signed in the Longhorns' 2024 class is IMG Academy safety and Fort Worth, TX, native Jordon Johnson-Rubell. Johnson-Rubell will be a physical force and an instinctual player in the secondary for the Longhorns for multiple years.

He projects either at the star position or safety, depending on how roster needs shake out for Texas in the secondary in the coming years.

Grade: A+