After an up-and-down 2022, Xavier Worthy ready to lead on and off the field in 2023
Xavier Worthy led the Longhorns in catches, receiving yards, and touchdown receptions last season, yet in some respects 2022 was a disappointment.
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A broken hand hampered his campaign, making his responsibilities as a pass-catcher inordinately difficult. He went without a touchdown in the last four games of the year, a stretch that ended with several drops versus Washington in the Alamo Bowl that altered the course of the contest. He was charged with five drops in those four games according to PFF, including three versus the Huskies. Overall, he had a drop rate of over 10 percent. That figure was over double his 2021 mark of 4.6 percent.
His struggles weren’t limited to catching the football. Worthy oftentimes couldn’t locate the ball when Quinn Ewers tried to sail it to him downfield. All the responsibility does not fall on Worthy alone, but there were times when the play failing was more on him than anyone else.
“It’s definitely tough when you’re playing receiver and you have issues with your hands,” Ewers said Wednesday. “It was unfortunate with the broken hand, but I couldn’t be more excited for the future of him.”
Worthy took some time to recoup after 2022. He admitted last week during Big 12 Media Days he needed to make progress mentally, emotionally, and physically. Entering 2023, Worthy is ready to prove he’s more like the 2021 standout than the 2022 version of himself, and lead others to a higher level of play.
“I feel like we just go in every day with something to prove,” Worthy said Wednesday. “We left a lot on the table last year, and I feel like we just have a chip on our shoulder to go prove everybody wrong.”
He has a new number, No. 1, that he first wore in the bowl game as a throwback to his high school days. He also has the support of his teammates, who are excited to see what “X” can do in his third season.
”Really electrifying player,” fellow wideout Jordan Whittington said. “Really dominant player. He’s stepped up more in leadership, and it’s going to be a really good year for him.”
In addition to making himself better, Worthy knows there are others in the group for him to lead. Whittington and Georgia transfer AD Mitchell may not need much tutelage, but other younger members of the room might. Worthy mentioned he’s taken Johntay Cook under his wing in an attempt to get the five-star freshman ready for action.
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“I feel like I’ve grown leadership-wise,” Worthy said. “They want me to be this leader, and I just had to be that and make big plays.”
Big plays will be key in Worthy’s success. Last season on throws of 20 yards downfield or further, Worthy was targeted 44 times. He caught nine passes for 278 yards, though four of his nine touchdowns were via the deep threat.
That’s an aspect of the game he knew needs improvement, and one he believes he’s made better ahead of the 2023 season.
“(Steve Sarkisian) told me I need to make big plays and communicate with my teammates,” Worthy said. “That’s what I’m going to do.”
Sarkisian described Worthy at Big 12 Media Days as an explosive playmaker who can score at any moment with his acceleration and separation.
Worthy will be asked to be that explosive playmaker for the Longhorns in 2023, and lead a position group considered one of the best in the country.
If he’s able to do it, he’ll put an up-and-down 2022 in the past with a memorable 2023.
