Texas Longhorns College Football Pregame Quote, 12/30/2023

Q. What was it about Texas ultimately that made you feel at home?

XAVIER WORTHY: I think Sark [Steve Sarkisian] played kind of that key factor with me coming to Texas. Really just his offensive scheme and just the kind of guy he was.

Q. How much has last year’s game against these guys motivated you? Does that factor into anything for this game?

XAVIER WORTHY: I really don’t think it factors into anything for me. I just feel like they didn’t get the best of me last year. I feel like I want to give them the best of me.

Q. Are you as close to 100% as you’ve been in a while?

XAVIER WORTHY: Actually, yes. I’ve been hitting rehab real hard and just trying to get prepared for the game.

Q. How have you guys stayed locked? It’s a big, long break. I know for you, health-wise, that can be beneficial. But just keeping the team focused and maybe keeping that intensity level up.

XAVIER WORTHY: Sark [Steve Sarkisian] has just been telling us, ‚ÄúKeep the main thing the main thing.” And I feel like we buy into that.

Q. What are some of the messages you’ve gotten from your community and how you’ve represented them in Austin?

XAVIER WORTHY: Just keep doing what we’re doing. The city is proud and you guys are doing good. Just keep going.

Q. You look at this Washington secondary, what stands out? What might you expect in a Semifinal game?

XAVIER WORTHY: Just their chemistry, and I feel like they just probably switch things up. They’re really sound, really good playing together. So it should be a fun one.

Q. You look at Quinn’s [Ewers] media scrum today, and Arch [Manning] is getting so much attention. Everything Arch does gets attention. Do you feel like he handles that okay?

XAVIER WORTHY: I feel like he handles everything like a pro. Just his approach on everything, being so young. I feel like it’s probably just something probably his uncles passed down to him. But I feel like he handles everything like a pro.

Q. You feel like Quinn [Ewers] is kind of cool with that, giving the attention?

XAVIER WORTHY: I kind of prefer not to get the attention. That’s a lot of attention for people our age. It’s a blessing and a curse at the same time.

Q. How do you feel like Quinn [Ewers] has settled into the job, everything that comes with being a quarterback at the University of Texas?

XAVIER WORTHY: I feel like him just kind of leading the team and being more vocal, and I feel like you can see it in his play and how he carries himself now, so I feel like it’s showing.

Q. Earlier in his career when he was getting some criticism, when you guys weren’t winning as much, did that bother him? Did that bother you guys? How do you feel like he handled the tougher stuff?

XAVIER WORTHY: No, it didn’t really shake him. I feel like last year, we were a couple plays away from being exactly where we’re at right now. So I feel like it paid off and it’s showing now.

Q. What kind of a locker room leader is he? Does he talk a lot? Does he give speeches? Does he talk to you guys?

XAVIER WORTHY: Quinn [Ewers] is the type of person to talk when needed. I feel like if we need somebody to kind of get us right, if he sees it, he’ll say something.

Q. I want to ask you about this offense. We saw these two teams go at it a year ago. Where has your offense improved the most since last year?

XAVIER WORTHY: I feel like our confidence and our trust factor. I feel like we had trust last year and confidence last year, but I feel like it’s grown to a new level.

Q. You lose Jonathan Brooks. Does that put a little more pressure on the pass rush?

XAVIER WORTHY: I feel like we also have some great backs in Keilan Robinson, Jaydon Blue, and Cedric Baxter. I feel like our running backs can make plays.

Q. What about Quinn [Ewers] and his areas of growth? We talked to Coach Sark [Steve Sarkisian] about it, talked about his confidence and things like that. Where have you seen his evolution take him?

XAVIER WORTHY: Just in his confidence, trust in everybody, and his leadership. I feel like his leadership really took a big role. In the off-season, Quinn said he lost like 20 pounds and he cut his hair. That’s the really big difference. He’s really more focused on the ball now.

Q. What about the culture that Coach [Steve] Sarkisian has been able to bring to this team? It’s three years in the making. Where have you seen the biggest differences there?

XAVIER WORTHY: Just how together everybody is. Everybody is really a family. As you can see right now, everybody’s out here talking with each other and just enjoying it.

Q. What is the vibe like? What is the energy like with the team this week?

XAVIER WORTHY: I feel like everybody is locked in and basically trying to play for a natty next week, so I feel like we’re all prepared.