Longhorns’ Xavier Worthy Ranked Among Nation’s Best Returning WRs
Despite the in-season and offseason doubts, Texas Longhorns receiver Xavier Worthy is set to remain on the Forty Acres next season after seeming to reassure Texas fans with some recent social media posts.
And with his return - despite a forgettable individual end to this past season in the Alamo Bowl loss to the Washington Huskies - Worthy is undoubtedly one of the best returning receivers in the nation once the 2023 campaign kicks off in the fall.
Pro Football Focus seems to agree, as the site released its list of the 10-best returning receivers for next season and has Worthy ranked at No. 4 with some elite company.
Here's the full list:
No. 1 - Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
No. 2 - Emeka Egbuka., Ohio State
No. 3 - Rome Odunze, Washington
No. 4 - Xavier Worthy, Texas
No. 5 - Malik Nabers, LSU
No. 6 - Jalen McMillan, Washington
No. 7 - Johnny Wilson, Florida State
No. 8 - Dorian Singer, USC
No. 9 - Ladd McConkey, Georgia
No. 10 - Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky
Worthy and quarterback Quinn Ewers struggled at times with their down-field connection, but the star receiver still managed to finish with 60 catches for 760 yards and nine touchdowns. All of his touchdowns came in a six-game stretch during the season, as he scored in six straight games, three of which were multi-score performances.
Here's part of what PFF had to say about Worthy's performance from this past season:
He became much more of a downfield receiver this past season, with his average depth of target being 17.6 yards, which ranked seventh highest in the Power Five. That dwarfs his 13.4-yard figure from 2021, which was 69th in the same group. By making him more of a downfield threat, Texas took away one of Worthy’s best attributes: his ability after the catch. As a true freshman, Worthy’s 526 yards after the catch were the 10th most in the Power Five. He fell to 41st this year with 324 yards after the catch.
The Longhorns offense will look much different next season. But with Worthy set to be back, coach Steve Sarkisian and the rest of Longhorns fans can breath easier.
You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
Want to see the Horns in action? Get your Texas Longhorns game tickets from SI Tickets here!
Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Longhorns? Click Here to Subscribe to the Longhorns Country Newsletter
Want even more Texas Longhorns? Check out the SI.com team page here
Follow Longhorns Country on Twitter and Facebook.
Make sure to subscribe to the Longhorns Country Podcast today! Click here To Listen.
