Xavier Worthy Signs With Michigan
Top-100 California wide receiver Xavier Worthy kept his recruitment interested to the finish, visiting Alabama last month before doing a live Instagram announcement this afternoon between the Tide and Michigan, the school he'd committed to in June. Thankfully, he reaffirmed his pledge to the Wolverines, and the program announced they've received his letter of intent:
Welcome to Michigan, Xavier Worthy! 〽️ @Xavierworthy2 hails from Fresno, California and caught 55 passes for 992 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior.
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) December 16, 2020
NSD CENTRAL » https://t.co/CFn7hRvre7 #GoBlue | #NewBlue | #NSD21 pic.twitter.com/mTaQ91Z9EH
Here's his initial commitment post if you missed it the first time around or just want to remind yourself that Michigan, in spite of everything, has managed to pick up one of the fastest players in the country again. Between Worthy, Donovan Edwards, and JJ McCarthy, this class has some serious high-end skill position talent.
Today's final announcement of interest is cornerback commit Ja'Den McBurrows, who will choose between Michigan and home-state Miami (YTM) at 8 pm.
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December 16th, 2020 at 4:59 PM ^
This is a big deal-likely the biggest difference-maker in the class.
December 16th, 2020 at 5:35 PM ^
Totally agree. I think Worthy is the type of play maker that is sorely missing; A true burner, deep threat that can take the top off the defense on any given play.
I'll be honest, I thought he was a goner after the Alabama re-interest and really felt like this was going to be one of those misses where every time we'd see his highlights would twist the knife a little bit. Literally would have been a DeSean Jackson 2.0 scenario, who was all but ready to sign his NLI until some roster spot tomfoolery from the Carr staff.
Welcome aboard Xavier! Despite the fanbase's current ornery disposition, you will be a fan favorite and the overwhelming majority of us will have your back no matter what!
December 16th, 2020 at 5:45 PM ^
i would rather have top tier QB play. and i think we should have that now.
December 16th, 2020 at 5:01 PM ^
Is it ok for everyone to back away from the ledge now?
December 16th, 2020 at 5:14 PM ^
What makes you think we can utilize and/or develop him? We squandered higher ranked offensive recruits like Patterson, DPJ, Charbonnet, etc.
December 16th, 2020 at 5:24 PM ^
You raise a valid point that I cannot disagree with. I am just referring to everyone who assumed he was gone because of our team’s current condition and the visit to Alabama. The reality is Michigan has been what it has been for 20 plus years. Kids and parents know that already when they commit. No one, including myself, cannot anticipate what a 18-year-old thinks and what my influence his decision. But rarely is it what we think it is (i.e a bad loss to a specific team)
December 16th, 2020 at 5:39 PM ^
Don't get me wrong, I'm excited about him too. But, knowing what happened with other highly rated offensive recruits the past several years gives me pause. I think many of us assumed it was over when Bama came knocking, and it's hard to blame us based on what's happened between the white lines this year and our uncertainty with the coaching staff. My guess is based on our class as a whole, some assurances have been made regarding the offensive staff. This is good and bad. The good news is it saved this offensive class with some key components in JJ, Xavier, & Donovan. The bad news is the defense is still trash and of course this means JH is likely back. I think we're all ready to move on from JH. But, maybe Gattis and the offensive staff can turn things around next year. There is reason to believe if healthy McNamara can move the offense and with a year of development the line should improve. Add to that some weapons on offense and there is potential. I will remain cautious, but hopeful.
December 16th, 2020 at 9:47 PM ^
What an asshole!
December 16th, 2020 at 5:04 PM ^
Quite the talented triplets between McCarthy-Edwards-Worthy. Amazing, really.
I just wish I had the confidence they were going to have decent blocking in front of them the next 4 years. Skill talent hasn't been our issue.
But yay!
December 16th, 2020 at 5:15 PM ^
The o line hasn't been bad the last few years
The only things that cap the potential of our future offenses, are the play calling and development of the players
Both of those aspects remain to be seen under Harbaugh, unfortunately
December 16th, 2020 at 6:30 PM ^
In Warriner I trust
December 16th, 2020 at 5:10 PM ^
Don't look now, but the last two head-to-head coin flip recruiting battles between Alabama and Michigan . . . Michigan won both.
December 16th, 2020 at 5:24 PM ^
Now it's about playing time. Need to get the Ohio guys who want to play right away. Along with star cbs.
December 16th, 2020 at 5:11 PM ^
Probably way hyperbole here --
-- I just see some field awareness and line of scrimmage speed on film from this dude that reminds me of a throwback UM receiver.... namely, #1 AC.
Go Blue!
December 17th, 2020 at 12:14 AM ^
Since 1981, I never heard a reputable source compare one of our WRs, recruit or already on the team, to Anthony Carter. He was the best I ever saw play in person and by a wide margin. I know that it’s just hype based on high school film, but damn, I want this to be true.
December 16th, 2020 at 5:13 PM ^
God bless this kid. He must really like Gattis.
December 16th, 2020 at 9:46 PM ^
IIRC his Uncle is a HUGE Michigan fan as well and I have a feeling that’s helped more.
December 16th, 2020 at 5:15 PM ^
I mean, kudos to the staff for keeping this recruiting class together despite them giving these guys ample reasons to go elsewhere this fall.
December 16th, 2020 at 5:17 PM ^
This is very good thing to read...maybe we can have nice things this season?
December 16th, 2020 at 5:18 PM ^
That's a Top 5 class - on the offensive side of the ball! It's Christmastime...and there is hope!
Go Blue.
December 16th, 2020 at 5:19 PM ^
Whew!!! Huge relief!!!
December 16th, 2020 at 5:20 PM ^
Wow ... this class is all-in despite the 2020 pandemic downturn. Gattis and staff must be good recruiters to keep this top offensive class together in such a down year.
December 16th, 2020 at 5:24 PM ^
Great class on the Offense side of the ball. It looks like Xavier's little sister (I presume; pictured on the right) is a bit skeptical of the defense. Take a look at her giving her "questioning face".....meme *Worthy*.
December 16th, 2020 at 5:24 PM ^
Welcome Xavier!!
Wishing you many big plays and lots of touchdowns ???
December 16th, 2020 at 6:11 PM ^
"in spite of everything": maybe that should be our end-of-year mantra
December 16th, 2020 at 6:48 PM ^
Whatever you believe about the on-field coaching capabilities of the offensive brain trust and the recruiting organizational abilities of Dudek and the other support staff, putting this offensive class together in the midst of a national pandemic clusterfuck and a 2020 Michigan season clusterfuck is no small achievement.
December 16th, 2020 at 7:05 PM ^
One of the keys to effectively using the various offensive weapons we will have next year is simply having enough offensive plays.
In 2020, Michigan averaged just over 64 plays per game. The only conference team with a lower number is Maryland, which averaged 62.
OSU: 73 offensive plays per game
NW: 74
WISC: 74
PSU: 78
Obviously the last number for PSU means that more plays doesn't guarantee more victories, but if you've got the problem of figuring out how to get your best offensive players enough touches, there's no substitution for having more plays in which to use them.
Yes, if your offense is impotent, it will very probably have fewer plays since you're having more 3-and-outs, but in relation to the rest of the conference, Michigan was in the upper half in yds/game and scoring/game so our offense wasn't completely horrible.
I suspect part of our problem is the relatively glacial pace we customarily utilize on offense under Harbaugh. We just take forever getting plays run.
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