Speed in Space sounded like a cute hashtag for Josh Gattis when he first arrived in Ann Arbor. But he wasn’t joking around and continues to prove it on the recruiting trail with another blazer as 2021 Central East (CA) WR Xavier Worthy has committed to Michigan.
Commitment
Scouting Report
DeSean Jackson is the most common comparison and it’s pretty spot on. A lanky, long strider, Worthy may not be the quickest off the line of scrimmage but, similar to Steve Breaston and D-Jax, once he gets a couple of steps out in front of him, he gone. 10.55 100-meter dash as a sophomore, he’s a bonafide track star but he also shows good flexibility to get down in his breaks and make quick cuts to open things up during his route running.
He’ll need to tighten things up in terms of catching consistently with his hands and running tighter routes but speed kills and there aren’t many players in the country with as much straight-line speed as Worthy. Thanks to that, he could be a day-one impact player as a return man and a go-route, deep-ball threat for the Wolverines. If things go as expected, he could be an absolute stud in the maize and blue throughout his career.
Recruitment
An early evaluation and offer helped put Michigan right in the thick of things from the start of Worthy’s recruiting blowup. The staff offered in February following his junior season and quickly jumped to the top of Josh Gattis’ board. Though he held offers from the likes of LSU, Georgia, and Penn State, the two teams at the top were Michigan and Oregon, with Alabama pushing as well. And the Ducks looked to be in full control not too long ago.
Michigan was in pole position in the spring as the staff made him a priority and WR Giles Jackson helped in the push. I even put him in my second 2021 Best Guess Recruiting Class and had the first 247Sports Crystal Ball in for the Worthy to the Wolverines. But Oregon’s proximity and pitch had them looking like the likely landing spot. Michigan stayed on him and, thanks to a change in his recruitment with the Ducks, were able to win over the All-American.
Worthy committed to the Wolverines in mid-July, sticking to a long time commitment date. He becomes the 2nd wide receiver get out of California and the 3rd top target get at the position in this top-flight 2021 recruiting class.
- Height: 6’1”
- Weight: 160lbs
- Hometown (School): Fresno, CA (Central East)
- Notable Offers: Alabama, Oregon, LSU, Georgia, Penn State, USC
- Rankings: Rivals (3*) – 247Sports (4*, #95 overall) – ESPN (4*, #126 overall)
- Composite Ranking: Four-star, #175 Overall, #32 WR, #16 in California
Highlights
As for the Rest of the Class
Worthy is the 20th overall commitment, the 3rd wide receiver, and the 2nd commit out of California to go along with fellow four-star wide receiver commit Cristian Dixon. Add in Markus Allen and the staff has three of its top receiver targets. The staff would likely be happy with just those three but WR Jayden Thomas still looks to be firmly on their wish list.
Names to watch as the potential “next” commitment include the top names on the board: DT Rayshaun Benny, OG Drew Kendall, OG Rocco Spindler and RB Donovan Edwards all look to be favoring Michigan with decisions coming sooner rather than later.
Photo Credit: BRIAN BAER/THE FRESNO BEE
- The First 2024 Best Guess Recruiting Class - Mar 24, 2023
- 2023 Best Guess Recruiting Class: Early Signing Day - Dec 20, 2022
- The 2023 Best Guess Recruiting Class - Sep 22, 2022