Top edge defender recruit in Florida may flip his commitment amid visits to premier college football programs
The battle for the top edge defender recruit in Florida has been raging for the last several months. While it is true that Javion Hilson of Cocoa, Florida has been committed to Mike Norvell and Florida State since January, it was clear rather quickly that his recruitment was far from over at that point.Hilson has […]
The battle for the top edge defender recruit in Florida has been raging for the last several months. While it is true that Javion Hilson of Cocoa, Florida has been committed to Mike Norvell and Florida State since January, it was clear rather quickly that his recruitment was far from over at that point.
Hilson has nearly 40 FBS offers and has been visiting a wide variety of schools this spring, but has seemingly finally narrowed things down to just a very few options. But what makes Hilson so special, and where might he flip to if he doesn't choose to stay with the Seminoles?
Javion Hilson's Elite Talents
Hilson is a fringe five star talent with incredible length, track speed, elite burst (as exhibited by his top tier high jump numbers), and crazy flexibility off the edge. His elite skills as a defender helped lead his high school to its second straight Florida state title. Hilson tallied nearly 100 total tackles, almost 50 pressures, and well over double-digit sacks last season as an unstoppable force.
Hilson could be one of the best edge defenders in the nation as soon as he hits a college football field given his pro-ready build and skill set. He–like any high school edge recruit–needs to improve upon the depth of technical moves he brings rushing the passer, but he has all the tools a college football program could ask for.
Where will Javion Hilson end up signing?
Hilson has logged unofficial visits with more than a half dozen schools since committing to Florida State this spring as several schools have been vying to stay in the race. And he's recently visited Florida on an unofficial, with UCF coming up this weekend. However, according to multiple insiders privy to his preference, "it's really between Texas and Florida State."
Hilson just visited Texas this past weekend and it reportedly went very well. Steve Sarkisian spent significant time with him and should have big immediate plans for a player with Hilson's skills. The Longhorns have proven in recent years that they can develop defenders along the line who get after the passer. That's exactly who Hilson hopes to be.
Alabama and Ohio State might still technically be in it given they have made multiple touch points with him throughout his high school career. The Crimson Tide even had him in for an unofficial in March. Florida and UCF were also "in it" enough to land an official visit. But it seems Hilson is most likely down to just Texas and Florida State. Hilson had nothing but great things to say coming off his visit with the Longhorns too. However, Florida State will get the final word with his last visit coming up just over a week from this writing.
We'll be back as soon as any updates happen with Hilson's recruitment. Be looking for more Texas Longhorns coverage here at A to Z Sports all year long! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) on X (Twitter) for all the latest football news!
And if you want to watch some Javion Hilson highlights from last season to get excited about what he could bring to Texas Longhorns you can check out the video below!
