Longhorns QB Quinn Ewers, WR Xavier Worthy Named To Maxwell Award Watch List

The duo of Austin could be competing for the same award come late November.

The connection between Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers and receiver Xavier Worthy could be spellbinding in 2023, but so could the battle to garner one of college football's most prestigious awards. 

Both Ewers and Worthy were named to the Maxwell Award watch list for the 2023 season. The Maxwell Award is given to the best all-around player in college football and is considered by most as the second-highest individual honor behind the Heisman. 

Worthy, who broke Roy Williams' rookie touchdown record in 2021, was named to the watch list last season. Ewers, who played a handful of snaps during his lone season at Ohio State, earned his first nomination after a mixed season with the Longhorns. 

As a unit, Texas expects better results entering its final year with the Big 12. Ewers and Worthy are looking for breakout campaigns individually before potentially entering the 2024 NFL Draft. 

🏈@TexasFootball's Quinn Ewers (@QuinnEwers) has been named to the 2023 #MaxwellAward watch list.#MaxwellFootball pic.twitter.com/6Q5DiA4a5r

— Maxwell Football (@MaxwellFootball) July 31, 2023

Neither player was perfect en route to an 8-5 finish last season on the Forty Acres. Ewers, who won the starting job over Hudson Card, played in 10 games after missing three starts following a shoulder injury suffered in Week 2's loss to Alabama. He threw for 2,177 yards and 15 touchdowns against six interceptions while completing roughly 58 percent of throws. 

Named Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, Ewers had several promising performances in 2022. In his first start following injury against Oklahoma, the Southlake Carroll product threw for 289 yards and four touchdowns while leading the Longhorns to a 49-0 win. Against No. 12 Washington in the Alamo Bowl, Ewers threw for a career-high 369 yards and a touchdown. 

🏈@TexasFootball's Xavier Worthy (@XavierWorthy) has been named to the 2023 #MaxwellAward watch list.#MaxwellFootball pic.twitter.com/3AihQiNts4

— Maxwell Football (@MaxwellFootball) July 31, 2023

Worthy, who earned second-team All-Big 12 status last fall, regressed in yards, but still managed to lead the conference in touchdowns for a second consecutive year. After winning Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2021, the 6-1, 178-pound pass-catcher finished fourth in the Big 12 for receptions (60) and fifth in receiving yards (760).

During spring practice, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian stated that Worthy played the second half of the season with a broken, thus factoring into his production. Fully healthy, Worthy expects to compete for the Biletnikoff Award, given out to the top receiver in the regular season. 

Since joining the Longhorns, Worthy was totaled 122 receptions for 1,741 yards and 21 touchdowns. Ewers and Worthy have garnered early first-round draft buzz entering the new year, with the former also receiving Heisman hype. 

The Longhorns open the season at Royal-Memorial Stadium against Rice on Sept. 2. 

---

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.