Xavier Worthy blazed at the NFL Combine. Then he was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2024 NFL Draft. The fastest man in NFL Combine history is no stranger to the limelight, however, as he starred on one of the grandest of stages in college.
Xavier Worthy’s Blazing College Career Began In Texas
Worthy’s college football career at the University of Texas has been nothing short of remarkable, showcasing his development into one of the most explosive wide receivers in the nation. Arriving as a highly-touted recruit from California in 2021, Worthy quickly made an impact as a true freshman, earning a starting role in Steve Sarkisian’s offense.
His combination of speed, athleticism, and route-running ability immediately separated him from his peers, making him one of the most dynamic offensive weapons in the Big 12.
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Worthy set the stage for his collegiate career during his freshman season with a record-breaking campaign.
He caught 62 passes for 981 yards and an impressive 12 touchdowns, breaking the University of Texas freshman receiving touchdown record. His performance earned him numerous accolades, including Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year and First-Team All-Big 12 honors.
Worthy’s speed and ability to stretch defenses vertically made him a perfect fit for Sarkisian’s offensive scheme, which emphasizes big plays in the passing game. His quick integration into the offense and his playmaking abilities made him a favorite target for Texas quarterbacks, most notably Casey Thompson in 2021.
Worthy’s breakout season also positioned him as one of the best young wide receivers in the country, garnering national attention.
In his sophomore season in 2022, Worthy continued to be a focal point of the Longhorns’ offense, despite dealing with more defensive attention from opponents. While his overall numbers didn’t eclipse his freshman output, he still finished the season with 60 receptions for 760 yards and nine touchdowns.
His impact was still felt in critical moments, with his deep-threat ability and knack for finding the end zone keeping him as a constant scoring threat.
As defenses began to focus more on containing Worthy, he adjusted his game, becoming more versatile in his route running and taking on more responsibility in the Texas passing attack. Worthy also developed a strong chemistry with Quinn Ewers, Texas’ young quarterback, which helped maintain his status as the team’s top wide receiver.
He demonstrated his ability to make big plays in crucial moments, proving his worth as a game-changer despite tougher coverage.
Beyond his statistics, Worthy emerged as a leader on the team and one of the faces of the Texas football program. His contributions not only helped the Longhorns remain competitive in the Big 12 but also brought excitement back to Texas football as they pushed toward a marquee conference move to the SEC following his departure.
Worthy’s first two seasons at Texas solidified him as one of the most talented receivers in the nation, and he continued to be a noteworthy national player when he ran a 4.21-second 40-yard dash at the 2024 NFL Combine.
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He was selected with the 28th pick of the first round by the Chiefs following his career at Texas.
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