AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – Less than 24 hours after the Sugar Bowl loss to the Washington Huskies, Texas Longhorns wide receiver Xavier Worthy announced that he will forego his final season of college eligibility to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft, continuing a path that the Fresno native has been on since a sensational freshman season on the Forty Acres.
Worthy’s departure means the Longhorns will lose one of the best wide receivers in program history, ranking sixth in receptions (197), fourth in receiving yards (2,755), third in touchdown receptions (26), and third in consecutive games with a reception (39) despite playing through a broken hand in 2022, a persistent ankle injury in 2023, and dealing with erratic quarterback play as a freshman.
Worthy had 571 yards after the catch of his 1,014 receiving yards this season, an average of 7.6 YAC per reception despite his average depth of target being 10.3 yards with a 60/40 split between lining up out wide and in the slot.
Worthy had a breakout season as a punt returner this season, with a 74-yard touchdown return against BYU, another score called back in the win over Iowa State on a controversial call, and a season average of 16.9 yards per return, which was second in school history.
So, in addition to replacing a capable depth chart and the team’s most explosive threat after the catch, Texas special teams coach Jeff Banks must also develop a new punt returner.
Here’s how the Longhorns want to replace Worthy.
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