Junior wide receiver Xavier Worthy and sophomore quarterback Quinn Ewers of the Texas Longhorns have been recognized for their exceptional talent as they were named to the Walter Camp Player of the Year watch list. This prestigious honor, announced by the Walter Camp Football Foundation (WCFF), solidifies their status as top contenders in the world of college football.
Worthy, a third-year wide receiver hailing from Fresno, California, has consistently proven himself on the field. With an impressive record of 122 career receptions for 1,741 yards and 21 touchdowns, Worthy has secured his place in Texas history. His 21 career touchdown receptions rank third all-time for the Longhorns, while his 122 career receptions land him in the 14th spot on the all-time list. Last season, he showcased his skills by leading the Big 12 conference with nine touchdown receptions and ranking 19th in the nation. Worthy's talent extends beyond scoring touchdowns, as he also finished fourth in the Big 12 in receptions and fifth in receiving yards. His remarkable performance earned him a spot on the second-team All-Big 12 selection.
Not only is Worthy a force to be reckoned with on offense, but he also contributes to the special teams as the punt returner. In the 2022 season, he averaged an impressive 9.7 yards per return. His exceptional abilities make him a standout player among Power 5 competitors and position him as the second-ranked receiver among FBS players in terms of career touchdown receptions.
In addition to his inclusion on the Walter Camp Player of the Year watch list, Worthy has been recognized for his outstanding talent in numerous other awards. He has been named to the Maxwell Award, Paul Horning Award, and Biletnikoff Award preseason watch lists. Furthermore, he was the only unanimous selection to the Preseason All-Big 12 Team, as voted by the conference's media representatives. To add to his accolades, Worthy has been honored as a preseason All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, Phil Steele, and Athlon Sports.
Ewers, the promising sophomore quarterback from Southlake, Texas, has also made his mark on the field. In his debut season, Ewers completed 172-of-296 passes for 2,177 yards, 15 touchdowns, and only six interceptions. These impressive numbers place him among the top freshmen in Texas history, with the fifth-most passing yards and the fourth-most touchdown passes in a single season. He showcased his skills in the Alamo Bowl against Washington, where he achieved career highs of 31 completions and 369 passing yards. These remarkable statistics place him among the top Texas quarterbacks in a bowl game.
In addition to his inclusion on the Walter Camp Player of the Year watch list, Ewers has also earned recognition on the Maxwell Award and Davey O'Brien Award preseason watch lists. With his streak of 116 consecutive passes without an interception, Ewers is poised to make a significant impact in the upcoming season for the Longhorns.
The Walter Camp Player of the Year watch list will be narrowed down to 10 semi-finalists in mid-November. The final winner, selected by the NCAA Bowl Subdivision head coaches and sports information directors, will be revealed on ESPN's College Football Awards Show in December. The deserving recipient will then have the honor of receiving the trophy at the Foundation's 57th annual national awards banquet in New Haven, Connecticut, in early 2024.
