Texas WR Isaiah Neyor Returns To Spring Practice
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Isaiah Neyor was the highlight name added to Texas' offense last offseason in the transfer portal. In terms of his highlights, joining the program on the Forty Acres was the only significant moment during his time in 2022.
Neyor never suited up for the Longhorns last fall after suffering a torn ACL during fall camp. Expected to be the No. 2 weapon opposite Xavier Worthy, all Neyor could do was watch from afar as Texas pushed its way to an 8-5 finish.
That won't be the case in 2023, barring a setback. For the first time since August, Neyor took the field with the Longhorns during spring drills and looks to be gearing up for a revival in Austin come Week 1.
"[Neyor's] looked at good as he's looked," Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian said following Tuesday's practice. "His rehab has gone really well for him, not only physically but mentally. Anytime you have surgery like that, as much as it is the physical rehab, it's the mental rehab."
Sarkisian mentioned that the program would be monitoring Neyor's reps throughout the spring, meaning the 6-3 pass-catcher could miss the Orange-White game on April 15. That's on the back burner for now as Neyor is still running with a brace over his knee.
At the forefront is Neyor's health for the upcoming season, a pivotal one for Texas before it makes the jump over to the SEC in 2024.
There are reasons for excitement surrounding Neyor's role despite an abundance of young talent already in place.
A former second-team All-Mountain West representative, Neyor finished with 44 catches for 878 yards and 12 TDs in 2021 with Wyoming. Last spring, he showed off his vertical presence by hauling in a 62-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Quinn Ewers.
A healthy Neyor would provide stability and a veteran presence to a pass-catching unit that features a trio of proven talent. Worthy is slated to remain the go-to option on the outside, while senior Jordan Whittington elected to return for another season in the slot. The Longhorns added Georgia transfer Adonai Mitchell this offseason, who averaged 14.8 yards per reception during his two seasons in Athens.
Sarkisian said that Texas would gradually work Neyor back to full speed, but even running through drills at over 50 percent was a step in the right direction.
"It's a good sign to where we need to be come the fall," said Sarkisian.
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