The Texas Longhorns received exciting news on Monday as two of their players were named Preseason All-Americans. Wide receiver Xavier Worthy and offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. both earned second team honors on the Associated Press' All-America Team.
For Worthy, this marks his second consecutive season being recognized as an AP Preseason All-American. Last year, his dynamic play-making abilities propelled him into the top 20 for touchdown receptions, with an impressive nine throughout the season. The talented athlete, hailing from Fresno, California, accumulated 60 receptions for 760 yards, earning him All-Big 12 Second Team honors.
Over his two seasons in Austin, Worthy has showcased his skills, accumulating a total of 122 receptions for 1,741 yards and 21 touchdowns. As a 2023 Blietnikoff Award Watch List honoree, he is now only 127 catches, 2,126 yards, and 16 touchdowns away from breaking each individual program receiving record. These achievements highlight Worthy's potential to reach national acclaim, especially with the further development of quarterback Quinn Ewers.
However, Worthy's success would not be possible without the outstanding protection provided by Kelvin Banks Jr. Standing at an impressive 6-4 and weighing 324 pounds, Banks proved to be an impenetrable wall during his freshman season on the Forty Acres. In 456 pass-blocking snaps, he allowed a mere two sacks, according to Pro Football Focus. Remarkably, during his last four games of the previous season, Banks did not allow any pressure on the quarterback.
Banks' exceptional performance led to his recognition as a Second Team All-Big 12 selection in 2022. Moreover, he received nominations for the prestigious Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award preseason watch lists, setting high expectations for the upcoming 2023 season.
The success of both Xavier Worthy and Kelvin Banks Jr. signifies the bright future of the Texas Longhorns. With their exceptional skills and dedication, they are poised to lead the team to new heights in the upcoming season. Fans eagerly await their electrifying performances and the remarkable achievements they will undoubtedly accomplish.
