Xavier Worthy, the No. 1 star wide receiver for the Texas Longhorns, declared on social media that he would be entering the NFL Draft.
In an article from Sports Illustrated, Worthy explains why he is thankful for his time as a Longhorn.
“My time here at the University of Texas has been filled with highs, lows, lessons, and blessings,” Worthy said in an Instagram video. “All of them are part of my journey and who I am today. I will be eternally grateful to those who have always believed in and supported me. My mom, family, day 1s coaches football brothers, and real fans. To play the sport I love at this level with some of the most talented guys in the game is a blessing I don’t take for granted, and I will continue to be thankful for.”
“With that being said, I will be declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft.”
Worthy announced his future plans just a day after the Longhorns lost 37-31 in a College Football Playoff game that went down to the wire. The Longhorns seemed out of it after a failed onside kick, but were given hope after a Washington Huskies injury stopped the clock for them.
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They drove down the field and made their way into the red zone, but quarterback Quinn Ewers was unable to convert on the last play of the game.
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texas longhorns xavier worthy
Texas Longhorns wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) sits in the end zone after the final whistle in the Sugar Bowl College Football Playoff semi-finals at the Ceasars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, Jan. 1, 2024. The Huskies won the game 37-31, knocking the Longhorns out of National Championship contention.
Worthy had just 45 yards on two receptions in the College Football Playoff game. Despite limited production, the attention he received as the No. 1 WR allowed Ewers to distribute the ball amongst the whole team. Ewers amassed over 300 yards passing and completed a pass to eight different Longhorns on 24 completions.
Texas Longhorns WR Xavier Worthy was the team’s leading receiver
Texas Longhorns xavier worthy
Nov 24, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) reacts after scoring a touchdown during the second half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
Worthy was the only player on the Longhorns to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark this season. His 75 receptions were 20 more than the next most on the Texas team. Wide receiver Adonai Mitchell had 11 touchdowns to Worthy’s five, but only had 845 yards on 55 receptions.
The College Football Playoff game against the Huskies was Worthy’s worst receiving performance of the year. His two receptions were the lowest total on the year, and there were only two other games in which Worthy had less than 45 yards. Both of those games were blowouts.
Worthy had over 100 yards receiving twice, and his best performance this season came against the TCU Horned Frogs. He had 137 yards on 10 receptions en route to a 29026 victory. Worthy had 86 yards receiving in the Big 12 Championship against the Oklahoma State Cowboys, despite sustaining an injury.
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Worthy will finish with the fourth most receiving yards in Texas history with 2,755 yards receiving. Everyone else in the top 10 had another year as a WR at Texas. Worthy is a junior, and immediately contributed as a freshman with just under 1,000 yards receiving.
Worthy is another full 1,111 yard receiving season from taking the No. 1 spot from Texas legend Roy Williams. His 197 receptions are good for sixth all-time as a Longhorn, and he is just over 50 receptions away from WR Jordan Shipley at the No. 1 spot.
Texas scores 35 unanswered to take down UCF 35-3! With the win, Texas improved to 9-0 on the year.
🏈 Jordan Shipley set a school record with 273 yards receiving
🏈 Colt McCoy threw for 470 yards
🏈 Texas held UCF to 151 yards
🤘 pic.twitter.com/I0DSzKTSPh
— Texas Sports Unfiltered November 7, 2023
Texas Longhorns WR Xavier Worthy has a chance to go in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft
texas longhorns wide receiver
Texas Longhorns wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) catches the ball for the first down against TCU Horned Frogs cornerback Josh Newton (2) in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, November. 11, 2023, at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas.
While some mock drafts have Worthy falling to the second or third round of the draft, NFL Draft Buzz has Worthy rated as a late first-round pick.
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The former four-star recruit is a deep threat with great speed, and would have the ability to immediately contribute to the NFL. Worthy’s main downfall as a draft pick is his skinny frame as he is just 172 pounds while standing at 6-foot-1.
If Worthy was taken in the first round, he would be the first Texas WR since Roy Williams to be a first-round pick. Fellow WR Adonai Mitchell is also expected to head for the pros, but there hasn’t yet been an official announcement.
Worthy adds another potential dynamic as a future NFL player as he was an All-American punt returner this year. Worthy averaged over 16 yards per punt return, and even had a punt return touchdown this year.
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Worthy’s explosive nature will prove helpful for some NFL team in the 2024 NFL season, whether it’s on offense or on special teams.
