Longhorns’ Xavier Worthy Ranked Among Nation’s Best Returning WRs

Texas Longhorns receiver Xavier Worthy is set to be the primary face of Steve Sarkisian's offense next season.

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.

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You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7

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