2022 Texas Longhorns Spring Football Preview: Wide Receivers
Ahead of Steve Sarkisian’s first spring as Texas head coach in 2021, there was good reason to think the Longhorn wide receiver room had competitive top-line talent but lacked quality depth. With players like Jordan Whittington, Troy Omeire, Joshua Moore, and Jake Smith, Texas could rely on those four in a potent offensive system and then hope someone else would render themselves serviceable.
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But Smith injured his foot in the spring before transferring to USC. Omeire was limited in the spring and ended up getting injured in preseason camp. Whittington missed a significant amount of time during the year. Moore left the team after a dismal performance versus Baylor.
The only saving grace for the wide receiver room was Xavier Worthy‘s addition to the room the day of the 2021 Orange-White game. Worthy enrolled in the summer and quickly zoomed to the top of the depth chart to become the first option for either Hudson Card or Casey Thompson.
With 12 touchdown receptions, Worthy set the school’s freshman receiving touchdown record and almost tied the single season touchdown reception school record held of 13 by Jordan Shipley.
Entering 2022, the wide receiver room has several things going for it. First, Quinn Ewers joins Card in the quarterback room. Both have sterling passing traits, and compared to last season, either should benefit the receiver group despite lack of in-game experience for both.
Second, Worthy begins the spring with healthy cohorts in Whittington and Marcus Washington, plus the addition of Wyoming transfer Isaiah Neyor.
Third, and maybe the most important aspect, Brennan Marion and his coaching acumen should help the entire group. Marion just helped Pitt’s Jordan Addison win the Biletnikoff Award, given annually to the nation’s top wide receiver.
2022 wide receivers
Departures: Joshua Moore (SMU transfer), Al’vonte Woodard (portal), Montrell Estell, Kai Money (graduation)
Returners: Jordan Whittington, Xavier Worthy, Jaden Alexis, Marcus Washington, Kelvontay Dixon, Troy Omeire, DaJon Harrison, Casey Cain
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Newcomers: Isaiah Neyor (Wyoming transfer)
Signees: Brenen Thompson, Savion Red
2021 Production
Worthy was a factor in every game but the TCU and Oklahoma State contests, easily leading the Longhorns in receptions (63), yards (998), and touchdowns (12). Texas was in 12 personnel for much of the year after Whittington, the second-leading receiver in 2021 with 26 catches for 377 yards, missed time stemming from an injury suffered versus Oklahoma.
How poorly did the room fare aside from Worthy in 2021? Running back Bijan Robinson was the third-leading receiver for the Longhorns, with more receptions, yards, and touchdowns through the air than fourth-place Washington, who added 277 yards and two scores.
Moore finished behind Washington in yards with 265. Dixon recorded nine catches for 100 yards.
Spring preview
Worthy enters his first spring at Texas with a clear goal of learning how to handle being a No. 1 option that all 12 opponents on the schedule will gameplan for. There is no hiding No. 8 this year, and it could be argued that was the case in the second half of last season.
What Texas needs to find in addition to Worthy is a clear second option. Is that Whittington in the slot? Is it Washington? Is it Neyor?
Dixon has another spring in an offense that he struggled to fully grasp during his first year playing in it. More opportunities to learn where to be and when to be there should help him see the field.
Omeire and Alexis, depending on health (see insider notes), will get opportunities to prove they can handle the rigors of college football practice, even if it is a lightened version of it. Cain and Harrison have opportunities to show they can contribute at some point in their careers.
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