How Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy's college experience with Texas Longhorns shaped him before his Super Bowl LIX success

Worthy was a four-star recruit from Fresno Central East high school who was considered the eighth-best recruit in the state of California during the 2021 recruiting cycle. Worthy committed to the Longhorns and became one of Steve Sarkisian’s best go-to targets out wide as the Horns build themselves into Big 12 champions by his junior season.

Worthy almost had a 1,000-yard season as a freshman. Texas landed star quarterback Quinn Ewers prior to the 2022 season, and Ewers and Worthy formed a formidable combination. Worthy had 1,774 receiving yards and 14 touchdown catches the next two seasons.

When the Chiefs drafted Worthy last April, Sarkisian was emphatic and said, “Xavier is a perfect fit in that explosive Chiefs offense.”

“He obviously has electric, world-class speed and clearly is a threat to go the distance any time he touches the ball,” the Texas coach added, “but he probably plays with more toughness than people give him credit for.”

Worthy is one of three former Longhorns playing in Super Bowl LIX. It’s the 19th time in the last 20 seasons that a Texas ex has reached the big game. Defensive end Charles Omenihu is playing for the Chiefs while defensive tackle Moro Ojomo represents the Horns for the Philadelphia Eagles.

“Man, it’s crazy, man. What? Like two years ago, there wasn’t a lot of guys from Texas in the league,” Worthy said in the run-up to Sunday’s game. “Being one of the guys that’s in the group to put Texas back on the map is a good feeling.”

Oddsmakers gave Worthy strong odds to score a touchdown in the Super Bowl. He could become the first Longhorns player to ever score in the big game.

But odds are Worthy will be making multiple trips back to the Super Bowl, if the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes have anything to do with it.