Carolina Panthers select Xavier Legette in first round of 2024 NFL Draft
Following his breakout season in Columbia with the Gamecocks, South Carolina wide receiver Xavier Legette has been selected with the No. 32 overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers.
In Legette’s first four seasons with South Carolina, he recorded 42 receptions for 423 yards and five touchdowns. But last season he went on an absolute tear catching 71 passes for 1,255 and seven touchdowns, becoming the team’s primary receiver following an injury to Juice Wells. Earning Second-Team All-SEC honors from the league’s coaches and media members and First-Team selections from three different publications.
Legette played high school football at Mullins High School in South Carolina where he was a three-star prospect, ranked the No. 762 overall recruit and the No. 109 wide receiver in the 2019 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
He has the ideal physical tools for an NFL wideout, running a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine along with a 40-inch vertical jump after measuring in at 6-foot-1, 221 pounds. Displaying an excellent knack for making contested catches and explosive plays down field behind defenses last season, leading all Power 5 receivers with five receptions of 50-plus yards.
What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Xavier Legette
Legette was a fast riser in the 2024 NFL Draft evaluation process following his lone breakout season with the Gamecocks. Flashing his size, speed, and skill at the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine. NFL analyst Lance Zierlein projected Legette as a second-round selection, explaining what he’ll bring to the table in his rookie season.
“Legette is tight-hipped with a linear release that makes him susceptible to press. He uses his route running simply as a means of getting to the rendezvous point rather than a chance to con coverage out of position. His star shines brightest once the ball goes up and he’s able to use his body control, play strength and ball skills to impose his will on the coverage,” Zierlein said.
“He’s unlikely to become a smooth route runner, but he can handle tough catches and he has stealth acceleration that makes him a credible deep-ball threat. Add toughness as a runner and run blocker to his profile of competitiveness and he becomes a Day 2 talent with the potential to develop into a starter.”