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    Texas football NFL rookie report: Xavier Worthy, T'Vondre Sweat making waves

    By Caleb Yum, Austin American-Statesman,

    1 days ago

    Texas football set a school record in the 2024 NFL draft after 11 players from their 2023 team were drafted to the league.

    None of these Texas-exes have cemented themselves as stars yet, but there have been some splash plays and highlights that Texas fans will recognize.

    Through the first month of action, Christian Jones, Jaylan Ford, Keilan Robinson, Jonathon Brooks and Ryan Watts have yet to play a down in the NFL.

    GOLDEN: Texas is on a bye but Steve Sarkisian is giving his players homework

    Here's how the rest of the class of 2024 is doing so far:

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2IEf0N_0vuCwfxV00

    Byron Murphy II , Seattle Seahawks DT

    Picked 16th overall by the Seattle Seahawks, Murphy began the year as the backup to Jarran Reed. His stats have been modest — six tackles and a half-sack in three games played — but the highlights show the potential that Longhorns fans saw while he was in Austin.

    Murphy exited partway through the Seahawks' previous game against the Miami Dolphins with a hamstring injury. He was out for the team's Monday night game vs. the Detroit Lions and doesn't currently have a timeline to return.

    Xavier Worthy , Kansas City Chiefs WR

    Picked by the Kansas City Chiefs in the first round at 28th overall, the fastest man in NFL combine history has been using his speed to great effect in Andy Reid's offense.

    Xavier Worthy exploded onto the scene in Week 1, recording 82 total yards and one rushing and one receiving touchdown in the Chiefs' 27-20 win over the Baltimore Ravens. He had 17 yards on two catches in the following weeks before catching four passes for 73 yards and a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0umjzO_0vuCwfxV00

    The highlight of the game was when Worthy blew straight past the Chargers defense for a 54-yard touchdown pass from Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. With receiver Rashee Rice suffering a knee injury vs. Los Angeles, Worthy might see his usage increase in the coming weeks.

    MORE WORTHY: Fastest man in football? What to know about the NFL combine record holder

    T'Vondre Sweat , Tennessee Titans DT

    Picked by the Tennessee Titans in the second round, 38th overall, T'Vondre Sweat measures in at 6-foot-4 and 366 pounds — roughly 100 pounds heavier than an adult panda.

    However, that weight is exactly what caused some analysts to worry about his NFL future.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0zytzp_0vuCwfxV00

    While the concerns haven't been completely alleviated, he's been doing his job in Tennessee; stuffing run gaps, pressuring quarterbacks and tackling rushers. His best game came this last Monday, when he recorded six tackles (two for a loss) en route to a 31-12 win over the Miami Dolphins.

    In just his fourth game of the season, Sweat has shown that he can be a reliable interior presence even without Jeffrey Simmons, an established Pro Bowl defensive tackle.

    Sweat has 10 tackles on the season so far.

    PREVIOUSLY: How T'Vondre Sweat went from momma's boy to Big 12's defensive menace

    Jordan Whittington , Los Angeles Rams WR

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4LCdOc_0vuCwfxV00

    Whittington was selected much later than his former teammates: sixth round, pick 213. But, due to injuries and his own hard work, he was able to see some playing time Week 1 and each week since.

    Whittington has become a fan favorite in LA due to his grit, team-first attitude and vibrant personality. He was one of the best performers in the preseason, but didn't touch the ball very often in the regular season(just five targets through three weeks).

    That was until both Cooper Kupp and Puka Nukua went down with injuries.

    With his two top receivers out, quarterback Matthew Stafford turned to Whittington this past game. The former Longhorn had a career high six receptions for 62 yards. Whittington has 112 yards on 11 catches this season, and can help make a name for himself while Kupp and Nukua return.

    Jonathon Brooks , Carolina Panthers RB

    The first running back taken in the 2024 draft, Jonathon Brooks has not resumed practice yet. He was picked 46th overall and is still recovering from the ACL tear that he suffered in Texas' game vs. TCU last November.

    Adonai Mitchell , Indianapolis Colts WR

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2R7lxe_0vuCwfxV00

    Things haven't gone quite as expected for Adonai Mitchell.

    Picked in the second round at 52 overall, Mitchell hasn't been able to make an impact with the Indianapolis Colts yet.

    Mitchell has two catches for 32 yards. It's still early, but so far Michael Pittman, Alex Pierce and Josh Downs are all ahead of him on the depth chart. He's shown the ability to separate but with the Colts' young, talented receivers room, it may take time for him to carve a bigger role.

    PREVIOUSLY: What to know about Colts rookie pick Adonai Mitchell, including his big game potential

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    This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas football NFL rookie report: Xavier Worthy, T'Vondre Sweat making waves

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