Tag: Xavier Worthy

Looking at game changers Texas has added in Steve Sarkisian era

It’s not how many four-stars, but how many true game-changers that make a winning team.

Having a roster of blue chip players doesn’t win championships. Having around eight game-altering players does. It’s why Texas is now winning at a level it hasn’t in over a decade.

The Texas football program has long been known for recruiting good players. For years, outsiders remarked on the Longhorns’ failure to consistently win at a high level over the head coaching tenures of Charlie Strong and Tom Herman. Those teams didn’t have enough players who could take control of games. Sarkisian’s teams have that.

Game changers have changed the course of the program. Sarkisian’s first of many such players was his only 2021 recruit, Xavier Worthy. As a freshman, Worthy put up 62 receptions, 981 yards and 12 touchdowns. Alone, Worthy wasn’t enough to alter game results, but he did make games interesting.

The next offseason, Texas added two five-star offensive linemen. One of them was left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. who went on to a freshman All-American season in 2022. He’s on track to be selected in the first round of a future NFL draft like Xavier Worthy was this offseason.

By the 2022 season, the Longhorns had cultivated or brought in more game changers, but not enough to win a conference title. Linebacker Jaylan Ford and tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders became players of that caliber, but you need more than four players taking over games.

In the 2023 offseason, Texas added a couple more stars in wide receiver Adonai Mitchell and linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. Mitchell went for 11 touchdown receptions while Hill added 67 total tackles and five sacks in limited playing time. Edge rusher Ethan Burke added 5.5 sacks, while interior defensive linemen Byron Murphy and T’Vondre Sweat became All-Americans and early round draft picks. Game changers.

This offseason has seen Texas add five Top 50 portal players in wide receiver Isaiah Bond (Alabama), edge rusher Trey Moore (UTSA), three-year starting safety Andrew Mukuba (Clemson), tight end Amari Niblack (Alabama) and wide receiver Matthew Golden (Houston).

Texas’ 2024 recruiting class added five-star wide receiver Ryan Wingo and a five-star edge rusher and two-time Texas state championship defensive MVP in Colin Simmons. More potential game changers.

We can point to moments where T’Vondre Sweat, Jonathon Brooks, Adonai Mitchell, Xavier Worthy, Ja’Tavion Sanders, wide receiver Jordan Whittington, defensive back Jahdae Barron and perhaps starting quarterback Quinn Ewers altered the course of games. It took all those contributing players to make it to the College Football Playoff.

Five-star or borderline five-star pedigree certainly magnifies the play of big game players. It’s what makes adding players like Anthony Hill Jr., Johntay Cook, Malik Muhammad, Colin Simmons, Ryan Wingo and potential future Longhorn Dakorien Moore so important. Malik Muhammad is primed to break out this season.

Texas is winning recruitments of the five-star skill players it wasn’t getting in the past two coaching regimes. Interestingly, five of the above six are Dallas-Fort Worth area prospects. That alone speaks to how much better recruiting has been since Sarkisian took over.

We have yet to mention running backs where Texas has produced two NFL draft picks in back to back offseasons. The four drafted running backs included fourth string running back Keilan Robinson who was selected in the fifth round this offseason. One or both of five-star running back Cedric Baxter Jr. and home run threat Jaydon Blue could become household names like Jonathon Brooks did last season.

Texas needs around eight players to prove capable of taking control of games in 2024 if it wants to compete for a national title. This group looks to have several players who can take over games. We’ll begin to find out how many they will have when the team kicks off against Colorado State on Aug. 31 at 2:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.

First-round rookie speedsters to square off in Week 1 NFL kickoff game

First-round rookie speedsters Xavier Worthy and Nate Wiggins to square off in the NFL’s Week 1 opening game

The full 2024 NFL schedule will be revealed later this week, but the league already fed fans a morsel of what will be on the menu in Week 1. Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Kansas City Chiefs will host the Baltimore Ravens in the Thursday night league opener on September 5th.

As if that rematch of the AFC Championship Game needs any more sizzle, the game will feature the NFL debuts of two of the fastest members of the 2024 NFL Draft class. And they could very well match up against one another on the field.

Chiefs first-round wideout Xavier Worthy and Ravens first-round cornerback Nate Wiggins burned up the turf at the NFL Scouting Combine. Worthy set the combine record for the fastest 40-yard dash time ever at 4.21 seconds. Wiggins was close behind with an eye-popping 4.28 time in his own 40.

It will be interesting to see if the first-round blazers face off in the game, but it certainly adds a layer of intrigue to what is already a great matchup in Week 1.

Chiefs mark three months since winning Super Bowl LVIII

The #Chiefs marked three months since their Super Bowl LVIII title in a post to social media on Saturday.

The Kansas City Chiefs have captivated football fans around the country with their spectacular displays of dominance on the gridiron.

From the otherworldly play of Patrick Mahomes in crunch time to the team’s stingy defense led by Trent McDuffie, Nick Bolton, and Chris Jones, the Chiefs have made a name for themselves as one of the best teams in modern NFL history.

On Saturday, Kansas City marked three months since its victory in Super Bowl LVIII, which earned the Chiefs their fourth championship title in franchise history after an overtime dismantling of the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Though it took an extra period for the Chiefs to reign supreme, Kansas City’s mettle in the championship game was something that experts will remember forever.

With the offseason in full swing after the 2024 NFL draft where the Chiefs added Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy, Kansas City has its eyes set on winning another title next year in Super Bowl LIX.

1 personnel director had it right about Chiefs WR Rashee Rice

Rashee Rice could be facing a suspension for his off-field issues.

In 2023, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rahsee Rice came on strong in the second half of his rookie season to finish with 79 receptions for 938 yards and seven receptions. He looked like the kind of player many of these pre-draft scouting reports said he was and seemed to justify his selection in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft.

But this offseason has been troubling for Rice with a serious off-field issue surrounding a car accident and Rice fleeing the scene. This also lined up with at least one scouting report on Rice and perhaps the only one that was willing to note how problematic Rice’s personality is.

Here is a line from NFL writer Bob McGinn’s predraft report on Rice”

At least one team, however, has removed him from its draft board because of behavioral issues. “He’s talented, but not a good dude,” one personnel director said.

The league has yet to impose any sort of punishment on Rice for the incident but it could be significant if the league looks back into Rice’s past and takes into account another incident he had while playing at SMU. The Chiefs didn’t take a thing for granted in the 2024 NFL draft when they selected Texas speedster Xavier Worthy in the first round.

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J.J. Birden on WR Xavier Worthy: ‘He was my dream pick for the Chiefs’

#Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to J.J. Birden, who said that Xavier Worthy was his dream pick for Kansas City in the 2024 NFL Draft. | @EdEastonJr

The 2024 NFL draft grades are available for every team around the league as spectators weigh in on which teams made successful choices. The Kansas City Chiefs left with many questions answered at several positions, especially wide receiver.

Former Chiefs wide receiver J.J. Birden was also a track star in college before playing in the NFL, sharing similarities with first-round pick Xavier Worthy.

Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Birden about Kansas City’s decision to select Worthy 28th overall and his expectations for him at the professional level.

“He was my dream pick for the Chiefs,” Birden explained. “He was the guy that I wanted. And I think once I saw him run that 40-yard dash, I went to the internet and YouTube and started analyzing him myself because I wanted to see if he was just another fast guy who couldn’t play the game. But to my surprise, no, a fast guy who can actually play the game.

“Being that I was a wide receiver, you quickly recognize if a player has the skill set, the natural abilities to do, you know, the different techniques that wide receivers need and, to have that speed to add. I was so excited because I know the power of having a player like that, and the Chiefs offense and the potential he could do to the team’s explosiveness.”

Birden attended Oregon for college because it was the only school that offered a track-and-field scholarship and allowed him to play football. He explained the transition and adjusting to life in the NFL while utilizing his fantastic speed.

“I don’t think transitioning from track to football was difficult because I had always played football and was a wide receiver,” Birden said. “Catching the ball, running routes, and all that was pretty easy for me; the challenge was making it to the NFL, where you’re playing against the best of the best.

“I’m going against bigger [defensive backs]. The other thing was that everybody doubted I could play at the NFL level; even when I got to the NFL, I felt like I was [viewed] as just a mystery track guy; I didn’t think that teams believed in me. So, it was overcoming that underdog mentality and showing them I could play. There was an adjustment; there’s always a learning curve.”

The typical discussion surrounding Worthy has been whether his playing weight could potentially be a problem in the NFL. Birden, who also faced the same criticisms, doesn’t believe it will be an issue.

“I was 5-foot-10, 157 pounds. So, people labeled me as too small. So, I had to overcome certain, say, prejudices, but I was able to do it,” Birden said. “That’s one of the things I tell the fans. I’m like, don’t worry about where this weight is; he’s 165. I was 150 [or] 157 pounds. Don’t worry about that; if he has good coaching and puts in the work, the weight is not an issue at all.

“I was going against guys like Deion Sanders, who could be very physical, Darrell Green, Rod Woodson, and they were very physical, much bigger than me, and then going over the middle and worrying about getting hit by Ronnie Lott and Steve Atwater. But today, they don’t have those worries; I think it’s a little easier for wide receivers. So, yeah, I’m just trying to get the Chiefs fans to relax. He’ll be fine.”

J.J. Birden is a motivational keynote speaker; check his official website for more information. 

Chiefs HC Andy Reid on Xavier Worthy: ‘He did a nice job picking things up’

Andy Reid told reporters at #Chiefs rookie minicamp that Xavier Worthy “did a nice job picking things up”

The Kansas City Chiefs wrapped up their rookie minicamp on Monday, and Andy Reid was the first member of the team to speak with the media following practice.

Reid was impressed with what he saw over the course of the three practices from the rookies that participated, specifically receiver Xavier Worthy.

“I thought he [Xavier Worthy] did a nice job picking up things and working through [it]. We asked him to do a whole lot of stuff there,” Reid said. “He was put in most of the primary spots, so it was good for him to be able to get in there and move around a little bit.”

Reid added that Worthy is a “sharp kid”, which is something — in addition to his speed — that the Chiefs loved about the 21-year-old receiver.

If Worthy can pair his defense-shifting speed with understanding coverages and see where defenders are going to be, his ceiling in this offense with Patrick Mahomes under center is boundless.

Jeremy Fowler: Chiefs view Xavier Worthy as more than just a deep threat

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that the #Chiefs view Xavier Worthy as more than just a deep threat.

The Kansas City Chiefs turned heads during the NFL draft, trading up from 32 to 28 with the Buffalo Bills to take former Texas receiver Xavier Worthy.

Worthy electrified the NFL Scouting Combine in March when he ran a 4.2-second 40-yard dash, the fastest time recorded.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on Sunday that the Chiefs view Worthy as more than a deep threat and believe he can be utilized all over the field.

“As one person with the team told me, Xavier Worthy has speed that you can ‘feel’ but they love the football player as well, so they’re excited to have him in their packages on offense, getting him on the field.”

Heading into the draft, the main question surrounding the Texas product was about his weight holding up at the next level. However, Fowler has been told that Worthy’s top priority is to get his weight up during the offseason programs.

“Now, Worthy, I’m told, part of his focus is to get his weight up a little bit,” Fowler reported. “He’s been in the 160s. He told reporters in Kansas City he is trying to get closer to 175. So, officially bulk-up season over the next few months.”

Despite his stature, Kansas City’s coaching staff believes that Worthy is not just a one-trick pony and displays levels of toughness and physicality.

“The Chiefs don’t just love what he does on a track, they love what he can do on the field and his toughness specifically,” Fowler continued. “So, this is a player that should see the field right away.”

The wide receiver position was a major area of weakness for the Chiefs in 2023, and with Rashee Rice’s 2024 status in question, Worthy should see the field sooner rather than later.

Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy on learning Andy Reid’s playbook: ‘It’s been fun’

Xavier Worthy told reporters that he has had fun learning Andy Reid’s playbook at the #Chiefs’ rookie minicamp this weekend.

The Kansas City Chiefs were one of six NFL teams that held rookie minicamps this weekend, and the team’s first-round selection, Xavier Worthy, stole the show both on the field and in press conferences with the media.

Worthy spoke to reporters after his first practice in a Chiefs uniform on Saturday, explaining his thoughts about Kansas City’s playbook, and how he will fit in Andy Reid’s offense.

“It’s been fun, learning the new offense and seeing how they run stuff, and just getting the flow of things,” Worthy said. “It reminds me a lot of Sark’s [Texas Head Coach Steve Sarkisian] playbook, a lot of similarities, just a lot of different names to it. It’s going to be fun to play in this offense.”

Every rookie has goals for their first week of team meetings and practices. The 21-year-old receiver wants to start with the fundamentals and establish a familiarity with the Reid’s system.

“[It is] just [about] establishing the playbook,” Worthy explained. “Getting a firm understanding of the playbook so I know where to line up come training camp, so I’m already affiliated, know what I’m doing, know where I’m lining up, and know the plays I’m running.”

Worthy could be thrust into early action in the Chiefs’ offense, given the uncertainty surrounding Rashee Rice’s availability for the start of Kansas City’s 2024 campaign.

Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy talks connection with Patrick Mahomes at rookie minicamp

Xavier Worthy told reporters about his connection with Patrick Mahomes during a press conference at #Chiefs rookie minicamp on Saturday.

The Kansas City Chiefs drafted wide receiver Xavier Worthy in the first round of last weekend’s NFL draft with expectations that he will play a major role in improving their offense.

Worthy spoke to reporters on Saturday at the start of Kansas City’s rookie minicamp, sharing his thoughts on playing with Patrick Mahomes and their budding relationship on the field.

“I talked to him and connected with him a little bit,” Worthy said. “He was excited about me coming into the camp just to learn the offense [getting on] the field and [getting] my feet wet on offense.”

Worthy communicated with Mahomes earlier this year following his record-breaking 40-yard dash time at the NFL combine. Mahomes was a significant supporter of the Chiefs pursuing Worthy in the draft, and the former Texas Longhorn expressed his appreciation for his quarterback’s vote of confidence.

“It’s amazing just to be able to have that quarterback that wants you too,” Worthy explained. “That means they’re obviously going to try to find ways to get you the ball and make it part of the offense, so it’s just a huge part of it.”

Worthy was concerned about which team he would land with, and told reporters that he hoped Kansas City would take a chance on him because he preferred to play for a franchise with an elite quarterback.

“Yeah, that’s true anywhere with a quarterback. I feel like that was my main spot,” said Worthy. “Pat just obviously was like, I feel like everybody would want to play for Pat just [because] of how amazing quarterback he is and how personal he is.”

Early indications are that a solid bond is forming between Worthy and Mahomes as the rookie learns the team’s playbook. Offseason workouts should continue to grow that chemistry ahead of training camp.

Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy embraces DeSean Jackson comparisons, playing weight goals

#Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy told reporters that he is embracing comparisons to DeSean Jackson and elaborated on his playing weight goals.

The many rookies under contract with the Kansas City Chiefs are getting their first taste of NFL life. The rookie minicamp is the first look at draft selections and undrafted talent trying to carve out a spot on the roster.

Chiefs first-round selection Xavier Worthy understands the high career expectations and many DeSean Jackson comparisons he’s received as he addressed reporters on the first day of rookie minicamp.

“Yeah, just as with punt return, his ability to make a play after the catch, and how he understood the leverage for deeper outs,” Worthy said of the similarities between his game and Jackson’s. “I feel like he had really good leverage, and I think he has the record for the longest touchdown.”

Worthy has a well-known track background and has always had a smaller frame than most of the league’s receivers. He is proud to say that hasn’t been an issue and that he has no problem unleashing force on potential tacklers.

“I was 169 [pounds]. I don’t think I took [hits] because I delivered them,” said Worthy. “I feel like it’s not gonna be a problem. I feel like just understanding your strengths and your weaknesses. I feel like that’s the big thing in the league.

“Don’t… try to hit a 215-pound linebacker. So, understanding your way and your strengths, as I said, D-Jax came into the league at 169 and understood his strengths. So just using your strengths to your strength.”

Worthy stood out in Texas because of his fantastic speed and ball skills. He reminded media members about his goal of playing weight by the time the regular season begins: “I play around the 175-170 (pounds) range,” said Worthy, “I’d be fine.”

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid had plenty of success with Jackson while with the Philadelphia Eagles, so he is well aware of Worthy’s potential to bring the team success for years to come.