Texas Football: Projecting the 2023 WR depth chart with AD Mitchell

X-wide receiver

Starter: Xavier Worthy

Backup: Johntay Cook II

There was a high level of concern following the conclusion of the regular season that Texas could be without its returning starter at the x-wide receiver spot in 2023. Even as recently as a few weeks ago, it looked like the possibility of sophomore wide receiver Xavier Worthy entering the transfer portal this offseason was very real.

But those concerns look to now be settled as Sark and the Longhorns are likely to get Worthy back as the starting x-wide receiver in 2023.

And despite some of the issues that Worthy had on the field in the season that was, especially in the deep passing game, he is primed to be one of the biggest playmakers for this offense next season. I would expect that Worthy will be utilized more often in the short and intermediate passing game.

He’s still too explosive in space when he gets the ball in his hands to solely utilize him as a deep threat.

Moreover, what is so exciting about the addition of Mitchell in terms of the impact on Worthy in the passing game is that it should open up more opportunities over the top. Worthy was double-covered so often during the 2022 regular season that it was difficult for him to get free.

With Mitchell in the mix now, opposing defenses won’t have the same luxury of being able to devote extra resources to shadow Worthy on the deep ball. Mitchell is a legitimate deep threat that will make preparing for this Texas passing game even more difficult for opposing defensive coordinators.

Behind Worthy at this spot on the wide receiver depth chart should be the incoming freshman and former five-star recruit Johntay Cook II. Second-year wideout Brenen Thompson could also compete for second-team reps at this spot behind Worthy.