The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1340560
2021 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE it's all about playing in space, it's all about getting opportunities down the field, stretching the field, putting pressure on defenses sideline-to-side- line, and that's exactly what he does." Worthy has drawn comparisons to some all-time greats. In U-M circles, many are calling back to legendary Wolverine wideout Anthony Carter, while others say 2020 Heisman Tro- phy winner and now-former Ala- bama star DeVonta Smith has a simi- lar game. "He's always going to be that long, wiry, strong kid," Gorney said. "I think that's where the Devonta Smith comparison comes into play. "I hate making comparisons like that, because we're basically com- paring him to one of the best receiv- ers in the last 20 years or so and the Heisman Trophy winner — that's a stretch, for sure. But he is similar in that he kind of glides like Devonta Smith does. He effortlessly runs by people." U-M offensive coordinator Josh Gattis coached Smith during his time at Alabama, and pitched Worthy on playing that role in his offense in Ann Arbor. There was only one problem: Ala- bama head coach Nick Saban and his staff were doing the same thing, ex- cept the Crimson Tide are the ones with the offense that averaged 358.2 passing yards per game (third nation- ally) in 2020, capping off the season with the program's third national title in six years. While Worthy was solid to U-M throughout much of the process after pledging over the summer, Alabama made a late run for his services. Wor- thy and his mother, Nicky, took a trip to Tuscaloosa for the Tide's Iron Bowl matchup against Auburn, a game Ala- bama won 42-13, with Smith going off for 171 yards receiving and two touchdowns. "He showed a ton of interest late, taking that visit to Alabama," Gorney explained. "And generally, late visits mean good things for the new school and bad things for the school where he had been committed. He had come home from that visit from Alabama and was torn between the two." On early signing day Dec. 16, Wor- thy made his final decision in front of thousands of fans watching live on his Instagram page, officially choos- ing the Maize and Blue and putting pen to paper once and for all. "For Michigan to hold off Alabama late was very impressive," Gorney said. "There was a loyalty factor there. Michigan was involved very early, they wanted him, they targeted him, they went after him, they really intrigued him with everything they can do for him in that offense. "Michigan treated him as a national recruit the whole time. Alabama re- cruited him hard, especially late, but I think showing him that loyalty and that opportunity early on were two big things to sell him on why he stuck with Michigan in the end." Worthy is slated to enroll this sum- mer ahead of his freshman season, and is expected to contribute in a winged helmet early on in his career. "He's going to be one of the most talented wide receivers in that room immediately," Gorney said. "I think he'll be on the field early, but if not, he's going to work hard to get on the field at Michigan." ❏ Michigan was able to hold off a strong late push from Alabama to sign Worthy. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM MARCH 2021 THE WOLVERINE 51 2021 Projection Speed is such a coveted commod- ity nowadays in college football, and that attribute alone could help Worthy earn playing time right off the bat. U-M brings back a plethora of wideouts with experience (red- shirt junior Ronnie Bell, and redshirt sophomores Giles Jackson, Mike Sainristil and Cornelius Johnson, etc.), but none of them outside of Bell have shown consistent play- making ability. Expecting Worthy to earn a starting job in 2021 is pre- mature, but seeing him on the field for at least a few snaps every game seems plausible. THEY SAID IT • Rivals.com national recruit- ing analyst Adam Gorney: "This is huge. Michigan needs play- makers on offense and he might be one of the best playmakers in this entire class. He's incred- ibly electric with the ball in his hands, and it looks like his film is sped up when you watch him on tape — he's just that fast and dynamic." • TheWolverine.com recruiting analyst EJ Holland: "Worthy fits exactly what Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis wants in his 'speed in space' offense. Along with terrific straight-line speed, he has some wiggle to his game and is quick in short spaces. Wor- thy will be utilized as a slot, but he can also line up on the out- side and make plays in the return game. He is built for this offense."