Guilford's Messiah Tilson (11) runs around defense during a game against Harlem on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, at Guilford High School. Kara Hawley/Rockford Register Star / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Highly Touted 4-Star Safety in Class of 2026 to Visit Kansas

Originally posted on Kansas Jayhawks on SI
By Joshua Schulman | Last updated May 25, 2025 11:53 AM ET

The Kansas Jayhawks are looking to build on their incredible 2026 recruiting class with one of the top safeties in the country.

Lance Leipold and Co. are expected to host an official visit for Messiah Tilson on the weekend of June 20.

Rockford Guilford 2026 DB @mini_sago11 Messiah Tilson has set an official visit to Kansas in June more details here https://t.co/DR5QtEV018 pic.twitter.com/hfhEVeNkkt
— Timothy “EDGYTIM” OHalloran (@EDGYTIM) May 23, 2025

An incoming senior at Guilford High School in Rockford, Illinois, Tilson is rated a 4-star prospect and the 25th-best safety nationally, according to 247 Sports.

The 6-foot-2, 165-pound speedster holds offers from programs like Illinois, Kansas State, Missouri, and Wisconsin, among others.

In April, Tilson visited Iowa and Wisconsin. He plans to take trips to Iowa State on June 6 and Minnesota on June 13 before making his way to Lawrence.

With the No. 8 class in the nation, Leipold is on track to assemble the best high school class in program history.

Tilson would become the third 4-star recruit to join the Jayhawks' recruiting class if he commits, joining local star JJ Dunnigan and recent pledge Kory Amachree.

This article first appeared on Kansas Jayhawks on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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