Former Texas WR target Xavier Worthy requests NLI release from Michigan

A young, true star is needed for Texas at wide receiver. On Thursday, Xavier Worthy requested a release from his national letter of intent.

Wide receiver has been a position group struggling early on in Steve Sarkisian’s first spring camp. The quantity is there, even with Jake Smith suffering a broken foot and Tory Omeire still recovering from a torn ACL. However, the quality has been lacking from top to bottom.

Only one wide receiver from the 2021 class is on campus as an early enrollee in Jaden Alexis. Despite being ranked the No. 56 receiver on the 247Sports composite, the Florida native was the highest-rated player at the position in Texas’ class.

A young, true star is needed for Texas at wide receiver. On Thursday, an option may have opened.

Four-star wide receiver Xavier Worthy signed with Michigan on Dec. 16 but did not enroll early. He requested a release from his national letter of intent, saying “things did not go as planned.”

Here is his full statement:

“Since graduating HS, I looked forward to starting my college football career at the University of Michigan, however; due to circumstance beyond my control, things did not go as planned – and I have submitted a NLI release request.

To the Michigan coaching staff, I have nothing but the upmost respect & appreciation for the opoortunity offered to me. And to the Michigan fans I’ll always be grateful for all the love & support you’ve shown me.

At this time I’m reopening my recruitment, in search of a new home to begin my college football career.”

When Worthy decided to sign with Michigan, his recruitment came down them and another national brand: Alabama. The four-star wide receiver made an unofficial trip to Tuscaloosa on Nov. 28, the weekend of the Iron Bowl when Steve Sarkisian took over as the head coach for Nick Saban.

Should Sarkisian look to dip into the portal for a wide receiver, Worthy should be his first call. A speedy deep threat is desperately needed, even if inexperience is a factor.

Worthy ranked as the No. 61 player and No. 8 wide receiver on the 247Sports composite in the 2021 class. The California native was the No. 4 in-state prospect.