Xavier Worthy Watches Calvin Ridley Route-Running Tape

Texas Longhorns wide receiver Xavier Worthy is one of the best returning pass-catchers in the nation, and he watches tape of one NFL player for route-running pointers.

Texas Longhorns wide receiver Xavier Worthy writes down motivational messages for himself to come back to from time to time.

His goals are not only to have a successful season as both an individual and a team but also likely to include a bigger perspective in getting to the next level in his development. In that, Worthy watches those who are living out his dream of playing in the NFL, revealing his favorite pass-catcher to watch on tape.

"Now, I'm watching a lot of Calvin Ridley," Worthy said Wednesday. "He came back. I watched him before. I feel like he's one of the best in the game right now."

Ridley played the first four seasons his career with the Atlanta Falcons, where he caught 248 passes for 3,342 yards and 28 touchdowns. In 2020, he racked up 90 receptions for 1,372 yards and nine touchdowns all while playing on a broken foot.

He shut down his 2021 season after five games to improve his mental and physical health and hasn't played since getting suspended for the entire 2022 campaign for violating the NFL's gambling policy. Now with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Ridley is looking to embark on a new chapter in his career.

Worthy and Ridley have similar play styles, lining up at multiple positions with versatile route trees. Worthy has been the Longhorns' top pass-catching each of the last two seasons, bringing down 122 passes for 1,741 yards and 21 touchdowns.

The Fresno, California, native was named an Associated Press Preseason Second Team All-American.

Worthy said before Ridley's gambling suspension, he regarded Ridley as one of the best receivers in the NFL.

"I feel like he was one of the top route-runners in the league before that," Worthy said, "Now, he's just coming back in fresh, so I feel like him just come back fresh and, being who he was before, he still came back the same way."

Maybe like Ridley, Worthy will also be a first-round NFL draft pick in 2024.

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You can follow Casey Smith on Twitter @casey_smith2419

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