The Texas Longhorns have received some unpleasant news.

The Texas Longhorns have lost their No. 1 star wide receiver Xavier Worthy, who declared for the NFL Draft via social media.

Worthy discusses his gratitude for his time as a Longhorn in a Sports Illustrated piece.

“My time here at the University of Texas has been filled with highs, lows, lessons, and blessings,” Worthy said in a video posted on Instagram. “They are all a part of my journey and who I am today.” I shall be eternally grateful to those who have always supported and believed in me. My mother, family, day one coaches, football brothers, and true supporters. To be able to play the sport I love at this level alongside some of the best players in the game is a luxury I will never take for granted.”

“With that being said, I will be declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft.”

Worthy disclosed his future plans just one day after the Longhorns were defeated 37-31 in a thrilling College Football Playoff game. After a failed onside kick, the Longhorns appeared to be out of it, but were given hope when a Washington Huskies injury halted the time for them.

They drove down the field and into the red zone, but quarterback Quinn Ewers was unable to convert on the game’s last play.

In the College Football Playoff game, Worthy got 45 yards on two receptions. Despite his minimal output, Ewers was able to distribute the ball among the squad due to the attention he received as the No. 1 WR. Ewers threw for nearly 300 yards and connected with eight different Longhorns on 24 attempts.

Xavier Worthy of the Texas Longhorns was the team’s leading receiver.

Worthy was the only Longhorns player to surpass 1,000 yards this season. His 75 receptions were 20 more than the next highest total on the Texas roster. Adonai Mitchell, the wide receiver, had 11 touchdowns to Worthy’s five, but only 845 yards on 55 receptions.

Worthy’s worst receiving effort of the season came in the College Football Playoff game against the Huskies. His two receptions were the season’s lowest total, and he only had less than 45 yards in two other games. Both of the games were landslides.

Worthy had over 100 yards receiving twice this season, with his greatest performance coming against the TCU Horned Frogs. He finished with 137 yards on 10 receptions and a 29026 win. Despite an injury, Worthy recorded 86 yards receiving in the Big 12 Championship against the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

Worthy will have the fourth most receiving yards in Texas history, with 2,755 yards. Everyone else in the top ten continued their WR careers at Texas. Worthy is a junior who made an immediate impact as a freshman with just under 1,000 yards receiving.

Worthy is one complete 1,111-yard receiving season away from dethroning Texas legend Roy Williams. His 197 receptions rank sixth all-time for a Longhorn, and he is just over 50 receptions behind No. 1 WR Jordan Shipley.

Xavier Worthy of the Texas Longhorns has a chance to be drafted in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

While some mock drafts have Worthy going in the second or third round, NFL Draft Buzz has him as a late first-round pick.

The former four-star prospect is a deep threat with outstanding speed who might make an immediate impact in the NFL. Worthy’s greatest disadvantage as a draft pick is his thin physique, since he weighs only 172 pounds and stands 6-foot-1.

If Worthy is selected in the first round, he will be the first Texas wide receiver selected in the first round since Roy Williams. Fellow WR Adonai Mitchell is also anticipated to leave for the pros, but no formal announcement has been made.

Worthy, an All-American punt returner this year, provides another potential dimension as a future NFL player. This year, Worthy averaged more than 16 yards per punt return and even scored a punt return touchdown.

Worthy’s aggressive personality will benefit some NFL team in the 2024 season, whether on offense or special teams.