Texas junior wide receiver Xavier Worthy has received a prestigious honor as he was named to the preseason watch list for the Paul Hornung Award. The announcement was made by the Louisville Sports Commission on Thursday. This recognition marks the first time Worthy has been included on the preseason watch list.
Worthy has established himself as a talented wide receiver during his three years at Texas. He has played in and started 25 games, showcasing his skills on the field. Hailing from Fresno, California, Worthy has accumulated an impressive career record with 122 receptions for 1,741 yards and 21 touchdowns. His 21 career touchdown receptions rank third all-time in Texas history, and his 122 career receptions are the 14th-most ever for a Longhorn.
In the 2022 season, Worthy's outstanding performance earned him recognition as a second-team All-Big 12 selection by the league's coaches and the Associated Press. He led the conference with nine touchdown receptions, ranking 19th in the nation. Additionally, he tied for fourth in the Big 12 receptions with 60, ranked fifth in receiving yards with 760, and placed seventh in both receiving yards per game (58.5) and receptions per game (4.6). His 21 career touchdown receptions also lead all returning Power 5 players and rank second among FBS receivers.
Worthy's versatility extends beyond his receiving skills. He also served as the punt returner for Texas in the 2022 season, accumulating 146 yards on 15 returns with a long of 29 yards and four returns of at least 21 yards.
Last season, Worthy's exceptional performance against West Virginia led to his inclusion in the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll. In that game, he caught seven passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns. Notably, he even threw a 33-yard touchdown pass to his teammate Ja'Tavion Sanders.
The Paul Hornung Award, now in its 14th season, is presented annually to the most versatile player in major college football. It is organized by the Louisville Sports Commission in memory of the late football legend and Louisville native, Paul Hornung. The winner of this prestigious award and their family will be honored at the annual Paul Hornung Award dinner, taking place in Louisville, Kentucky in March 2024.
The 2023 Watch List was carefully compiled by a panel of college football experts. They considered a combination of statistics, career performance, SID recommendations, and expectations for the 2023 season. In addition to the Watch List, the Paul Hornung Award Weekly Honor Roll will recognize players whose performances during the regular season meet the Award's criteria. Players from the Watch List and the Honor Roll are eligible to win the Award.
