Potential Texans Draft Pick Xavier Worthy Wins Big At Combine With 40 Record
INDIANAPOLIS -- If Xavier Worthy wasn't on the Houston Texans' radar entering the NFL Scouting Combine, he's likely shooting up the rankings with each step.
And he saved the best moment of the day for last
Worthy, the final receiver to compete, made combine history with a blazing 4.21 40-time during workouts, surpassing John Ross' 4.22-second record set in 2017.
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"I just broke the record. It still doesn't feel real," Worthy said on the broadcast. "Man, just a blessing to be able to do this in front of all these fans, with all these peers I'm with."
The 5-11 Texas pass-catcher initially set the tone on his first run, clocking in a 4.25 with 1.78 10-yard split. Most figured that would be enough to secure his first-round stock leading into the gauntlet drills.
But Worthy, who broke Roy Willaims' freshman receiving yard and touchdown record in 2021, could sense it. If he were to get out of his brakes a smidge faster, the record would his and so would eternal glory.
Fans in attendance at Lucas Oil Stadium began to erupt as Michigan's Roman Wilson finished his run. Worthy had just finished lacing up his bright orange cleats and was ready for Round 2.
Initially, the clock read 4.22, meaning Worthy had tied Ross' record. The crowd didn't care as the applause began to echo through the stadium.
Neither did Worthy, who kept running past the marker and into the open drills field. He was embraced by several players, including Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy. Prospects on the field were speechless when they realized the clock had been one-tenth of a second off, thus giving sole possession of the title to Worthy.
"My trainer told me to just be patient and peak at the right time. It all came at the right time," said Worthy.
"If you feel like you can do it, just do it."
The Texans are interested in adding speed this offseason. Running back could be addressed in free agency with names like D'Andre Swift, Tony Pollard and Saquon Barkley. Houston also is interested in bringing back leading rusher Devin Singletary on another team-friendly deal.
For receiver, it's a bit more complicated. Houston is currently in the beginning stages of extending breakout star Nico Collins, making it challenging to sign a high-profile name to a long-term deal. The Texans could bring in options like Tyler Boyd, Curtis Samuel and Kendrick Bourne, among others, but those would be rental options more than foundational pieces.
Worthy fits a need both in the slot and on the outside. General manager Nick Caserio also seems to favor players who played at big-time college programs in the first round because the transition is easier to project, as evidenced by newcomers C.J. Stroud, Will Anderson Jr. and Derek Stingley Jr.
Worthy, who met formally with the Texans in Indianapolis this week, started 39 games in his three seasons at Texas and finished fourth all-time in yards receiving (2,755).
“Being a speed guy is cool but nobody looks at the route-running element of my game,” Worthy said. “I feel like I run really good routes probably if not the best in the class. I feel like I run really good routes.”
What could separate Worthy from other receivers is his special teams' threat. At Texas, he totaled 564 punt return yards and scored a touchdown during his junior season. He leaves Austin ranked second in career punt return average (14.5).
Last season, Worthy caught 1,014 yards and five touchdowns while helping lead the Longhorns to the College Football Playoff semifinal against Washington.
The Texans, who currently hold the No. 23 pick in April's draft, also formally met with LSU's Brian Thomas Jr., Oregon's Troy Franklin, Florida State's Keon Coleman, and Western Ketucky's Malachi Corley.
