Longhorns Country

PFF's WR Rankings: Longhorns' Xavier Worthy in Top 5?

Worthy enters the fall as one of the biggest names at his position.

Zach Dimmitt

There might not be a more explosive or dynamic player in the country than Texas Longhorns wideout Xavier Worthy. 

And the general consensus seems to agree.

Pro Football Focus revealed its list for the 10-best receivers in college football heading into the 2022-23 season and has Worthy at No. 4 in the country behind Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba, USC's Jordan Addison, and LSU's Kayshon Boutte.

Worthy shined as one of college football's best receivers as a true freshman. He had 62 catches for 981 yards and 12 touchdown receptions, with the 12 scores being good for first among freshmen receivers and fifth overall.

“I just want to build off that,” Worthy told the media this spring. “Go win a Big 12 championship.”

And a critical step to bringing a Big 12 title back to Austin? Buying into the system, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian continues to establish headed into year two with the program.

Worthy didn’t mince his words when asked about potentially transferring after a 5-7 season and missing out on a bowl game.

“(Transferring) wasn’t even a decision,” he said. “I put my trust in Sark so I’m just gonna believe in Sark. I’m not leaving. I put my trust in Sark"

The 62 catches also led all freshmen and earned him Freshman All-American honors.

It's hard to imagine Worthy having a better season in 2022, but the addition of receivers coach Brennan Marion could prove the difference in helping him reach new heights. 

Marion, who orchestrated a Pitt Panthers' receiving group that was No. 5 in the nation in yards per game (350.2) last season, has been drilling key lessons into Worthy's head early on in spring ball.

“He basically tells me ‘last year didn’t count," Worthy said of Marion. "It’s what you do this year that counts. What you did last year doesn’t matter.’”

With a year of experience under his belt, Worthy will once again be Texas' No. 1 option in the passing game. And under the guidance of Sarkisian and Marion, his trajectory only has room to grow.

You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7

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Zach Dimmitt
ZACH DIMMITT

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