Xavier Worthy was a big get for Michigan, one of the top wide receivers in the class of 2021 and the highest-ranked receiver for the Wolverines since Donovan Peoples-Jones in 2017.
Now he's a big loss.
Worthy announced Thursday, a day after Michigan parted ways with recruiting director Matt Dudek and amid an offseason of coaching changes on Jim Harbaugh's staff, that he has requested his release from his letter of intent to Michigan and will be reopening his recruitment.
"Since graduating HS, I looked forward to starting my college football career at the University of Michigan," Worthy said via Twitter. "However, due to circumstances beyond my control, things did not go as planned."
Harbaugh has hired several new coaches this offseason, including Ron Bellamy to coach the wide receivers. Worthy, a four-star recruit from California, was the eighth-ranked receiver in his class and the third-ranked player overall in the 2021 class for Michigan, according to 247 Sports.
"To the Michigan coaching staff, I have nothing but the utmost respect and appreciation for the opportunity offered to me," he said. "And to the Michigan fans I’ll always be grateful for all the love and support you’ve shown me."
Worthy originally signed with Michigan in December, choosing the Wolverines over the likes of Alabama, Auburn and Georgia.