Written By Adam Aniba
Every draft features prospects that might not have an extensive statistical resume, but took it too another level during their last collegiate season.
South Carolina receiver Xavier Legette had a breakout season in '23, after a quiet 4 years and looks to be an impact offensive weapon on the next level.
Xavier Legette
6'1" 221 lbs | WR | S.CAR
Draft Proj 2nd Rd
Career (53 games)- 113 rec 1,678 yds and 12 TDs (14.8 avg)
*KR- 29 att 767 yds 1 TD (26.4 YPR)
'23 Stats (12 games)- 71 rec 1,255 yds and 7 TD (17.7 avg)
*KR- 10 att 213 yds (21.3 YPR)
Background
Legette grew up in Mullins, SC and played football, basketball and baseball for Mullins High School.
After lining up at receiver as a sophomore and recording 44 receptions for 733 yards and 8 scores, he switched to quarterback as a senior in '18. As a dual-threat signal caller Legette threw for 887 yards for 14 touchdowns and ran for 1,826 yards for 19 scores.
Legette was rated as the 40th best athlete of the country, the 10th rated prospect in S.Carolina and designated as a 4-star recruit by 24Sports. Legette ultimately committed to South Carolina.
In 2019 as a true freshman Legette was active in 11 games, playing primarily on special teams with a few snaps at receiver. On the season he recorded 9 receptions for 8 yards. He also recorded 4 kick returns for 113 yards with a 28.3 yard per return average.
Between '20-'21 Legette was active in 16 games (10 starts) and registered 15 rec for 176 yards. Legteet did have a career high day in '20 vs Tennessee, in which he recorded 61 yards receiving. The Gamecocks receiver was named to the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll.
In 2022 Legette played all 13 games (7 starts) registering 18 receptions for 167 yards and 3 touchdowns, in addition to 7 rush att for 21 yards.
He also returned 15 kicks for 441 yards for 1 TD with a 29.4 yards per return average (school record). The South Carolina receivers season highlight came vs Texas A&M, in which he returned the opening kick off 100 yards for a house call.
His best game of the season came against Notre Dame in the TaxSLayer Gator Bowl, in which Legette had a career-high 78 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns. The performance earned him the Gamecocks’ Toughness Award for the offense.
In 2023 the Gamecocks' receiver finally put it all together and had a breakout season. Legette led the team with 71 receptions for 1,255 yards and 7 touchdowns.
Legette tied former Gamecocks' receiver Bryan Edwards for fifth-most receptions in a single season (71) and his 1,255 receiving yards were the second-highest in school history.
Legette averaged 104.6 receiving yards per game (2nd in the SEC and 8th in the country), 17.7 yards per reception (5th in the SEC) and 5.9 receptions per game (4th in the SEC.
The S.Carolina receiver had six 100-yard receiver games in '23 and was one of the most explosive pass catchers in the nation. Also returned 10 kickoffs for a 21.3-yard average.
2023 Accolades
'23-'24 S.Carolina Male Athlete of the Year
'23 Senior Bowl All-American Team
'23 1st-Team All-SEC (PFF, Phil Steele, College Football Network)
'23 2nd-Team All-SEC Wide Receiver (AP, Coaches)
'23 2nd-Team All-SEC All-Purpose (AP)
'23 Blanchard-Rogers Trophy Finalist
'23 Rex Enright Team Captain
'23 Co-Steve Wadiak Team MVP*
'23 Steve Spurrier Award – MVP Offense*
'23 Most Outstanding Senior
'23 Biletnikoff Award Semifinalist
'23 Midseason 2nd-Team All-American (AP)
PROS
Excels at high pointing the ball in traffic
Extremely fast and explosive, rarely caught from behind displaying multiple gears
Built like a power-back and difficult to bring down
Active/Violet hands helps him beat press coverage
Displays the extension needed to make highlight reel receptions
CONS
One hit wonder? Lack of career statistical production is a concern
Only ran partial route-tree at USC and has a tendency to round off routes
NFL coverage schemes could lead to early struggles, considering his limited collegiate starting experience
Needs to be more of a hands catcher on deep routes, allows ball to get into his pads too often
Footwork will require refinement on the next level
Outlook
The Gamecocks' receiver was a great story in 2023, literally rising from obscurity to have one of the best seasons for a receiver in S.Carolina history.
Legette may scream One Hit Wonder, but his combination of speed, athleticism, size and ability should see him get selected early on Day 2.
*GAMES WATCHED*
9/2/23 vs UNC 9/23 vs Miss St., 10/14 vs Florida, 11/4 vs Jacksonville St. & 11/18 vs Kentucky
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