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Texas' players comment on the 2023 passing game

On3 imageby:Ian Boyd•07/13/23•

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texas-players-comment-on-the-2023-passing-game
Quinn Ewers (Sara Diggins/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Texas’ upcoming 2023 season is likely to be defined by their passing attack, which was well represented at Media Days by quarterback Quinn Ewers and receivers Xavier Worthy and Jordan Whittington.

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The run game and defense will unquestionably be important components once the season starts but the reason Texas was the preseason selection to win the conference is the return of Ewers with a tremendous amount of passing game talent around him. Last season the pass game wasn’t really a strength.

Texas’ main thrust in the pass game was taking shots to Worthy, but 113 targets (per PFF) produced only 60 catches for 760 yards and nine touchdowns. That comes to an anemic 6.7 ypa, which didn’t do the job in several big games of protecting the run game. Meanwhile Whittington couldn’t serve in perhaps his most dangerous role as a RPO target because he spent much of his time on the outside and as a blocker in the power run game or even blocking for another receiver.

Here’s what the Longhorns at Media Days had to say about developing the passing game in 2023.

Ewers-to-Worthy

Neither Ewers nor Worthy were particularly forthcoming in diagnosing the issues which led to the poor showing for their connection. However, both indirectly tackled the issues with some of their comments at Media Days.

Worthy addressed how he’s looking to correct some of his issues from a year ago (he dropped 10% of his targets per PFF).

“I’ve been catching JUGS every day. That’s like my new best friend, basically. I just feel like I’ve been working on my hands. I want to improve on the contested catches, the hard stuff, the stuff I’m not good at. Coach (Chris) Jackson has really helped me with that.”

When asked about the specific connection with Ewers he simply noted, “I dunno I just feel like we didn’t, didn’t connect. We just weren’t on the same path.”

Ewers also spoke to the need to improve the efficiency.

“We definitely worked on it (the deep ball) throughout the spring and throughout this summer, it takes time. It’s repetition, understanding who I’m throwing to.”

Regarding the weak connection with Worthy he paused for a moment before dryly stating, “it was probably just the adrenaline rush. I got a little too excited or something.”

Ewers has clearly stepped up his leadership role on the team and has been speaking up to the team about expectations for play this season, but he wasn’t interested in detailing specifics for the media.

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Winning in the slot

One of the bigger changes for this coming season will unquestionably be team leader Jordan Whittington moving back to the slot after ostensibly playing outside receiver in 2022 but often serving as a “flex fullback” with routine blocking assignments.

Whittington didn’t express much passion for a change in role, claiming “I’m just hoping to win every game we play. Whatever game we playing that week, whatever I gotta do, I’ll do it. If i gotta go hit a D-end, I’ll happily go hit ’em.”

However he did note the likely shift in offensive style this season and what it’ll mean for his own role in the offense.

“I think I’ll be more focused in the slot. We got a lot of outside weapons now. AD Mitchell, Isaiah Neyor, the young guys that came in, Worthy of course. So I think we’ll be more versatile and I’ll be able to stick in the slot more and be where I’m comfortable.”

Whittington is a real terror after the catch due to his size and speed and could see a huge year catching slants and outs on the run and creasing defenses with his cuts.

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