Texas Football: Duvernay expects great things from Whittington, Longhorns

Texas football heads into the 2023 season with the highest expectations of any campaign yet under the direction of head coach Steve Sarkisian. The media picked Texas atop the Big 12 preseason poll. And there’s a good chance that Texas could be a preseason top-10 team in the major polls.

One of the big reasons for Sark and the Longhorns having so much hype heading into the fall is all the returning talent and experience, especially on offense. Texas returns 10 starters on offense from last year’s squad, including all starters in the receiving corps and at tight end.

Texas has a top group of three projected starting wideouts of redshirt senior slot receiver Jordan Whittington, junior field receiver Xavier Worthy, and junior boundary receiver AD Mitchell. The former of those three projected starting wideouts for the Longhorns is the most experienced of the bunch regarding the number years he’s spent in college.

Whittington is one of the key leaders among the upperclassmen for the Longhorns this year. He was one of the player representatives for the Longhorns at Big 12 Media Days in Arlington, TX, a couple of weeks ago.

If Whittington can stay healthy for the Longhorns this fall, he should be able to have another career year at slot wideout.

Former Texas football standout WR Devin Duvernay talks about expectations for Jordan Whittington, Longhorns in 2023

One former Texas receiver with high expectations for the Longhorns, particularly Whittington, is Baltimore Ravens speedster Devin Duvernay. The two-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro receiver/returner for the Ravens, Duvernay, spoke about his thoughts on the Longhorns heading into the 2023 season in an interview with On Texas Football/Inside Texas on July 24.

"“Apparently this is going to be the year. And I’m excited to watch, definitely going to be locked in as I am every year.”"

He told OTF/Inside Texas that he’s “excited to watch” the Longhorns this fall and that he’ll “be locked in” as he is each season.

Duvernay mentioned that he is “expecting a lot of great things” from the Longhorns this year after specifically citing his former teammate Whittington.

"“I see what y’all see. I see a good team. A team that has a good defense, good offense. You got my J-Whit coming back. I’m expecting a lot of great things”."

Duveray also believes that Sark’s offense is beneficial for wide receiver production.

"“It definitely seems receiver friendly. You know, that’s something as a receiver you love to see. Spread the ball around, throw the ball deep. Get your fast guys running.”"

Record-setting production from Duvernay has yet to be matched in the Sark era at Texas

During his final season at Texas, Duvernay proved to be one of college football’s most reliable and productive receivers. In 2019, Duvernay registered a career-high 106 catches for 1,386 receiving yards and 10 total touchdowns.

Duvernay became known for his reliable hands during his time at Texas. He only dropped three passes compared to 106 catches during the 2019 campaign, a record among Big 12 wideouts. No other Big 12 wideout has ever caught at least 100 passes in a single season while dropping three or fewer balls (stat tracked since 2013 by PFF).

Whittington and Duvernay were teammates at Texas in 2019

For one season, in 2019, Duvernay and Whittington were Longhorns teammates. Whittington was a true freshman under former head coach Tom Herman, while Duvernay was heading into his senior campaign.

Heading into the 2023 campaign, Whittington has a shot to be Texas’ best slot wideout since Duvernay had that magical run during the 2019 season.