Former South Carolina wide receiver Xavier Legette was not even in the NFL Draft rader through his first four seasons with the Gamecocks.
The 6-foot-1 wide receiver caught all of 42 passes and five touchdowns during that span. He also missed parts of the 2020 and 2021 campaign to injuries.
It was not a great start to his career in South Carolina after being a four-star recruit in the Class of 2019. That included a motorcycle accident contributing to some of the wide receiver’s time away from the game.
However, something clicked for Legette after being granted a fifth season of eligibility. He absolutely dominated SEC defenses in catching passes from fellow 2024 NFL Draft prospect Spencer Rattler this past season.
- Xavier Legette stats (2023): 71 receptions, 1,235 yards, 7 TD
This performance coupled with a great pre-draft process has led to speculation that Legette could very well be a first-round pick when the draft gets going on Thursday from Detroit.
NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero talked to executives, scouts and coaches around the league over the past several weeks. Legette’s name continues to pop up as a potential surprise pick.
“An impressive combine performance — including a 4.39-second 40 time and 40-inch vertical at 6-1, 221 pounds — put Legette in the conversation of this draft’s risers,” Pelissero noted. “And while some NFL scouts and coaches aren’t sold after just one year of production for the Gamecocks, Legette’s athletic ability alone could entice a team to take him Thursday night.”
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The better news for this fast riser is the fact that there are a number of teams selecting later in the first round with obvious needs at wide receiver.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 20): After trading away Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers earlier in the offseason, Pittsburgh is obviously in the market for a wide receiver. It has been linked to trade-up scenarios and is rumored to be interested in a blockbuster for San Francisco 49ers star Brandon Aiyuk.
- Arizona Cardinals (No. 27): If Arizona does not go wide receiver at four or opts to trade down from that spot, Legette becomes a real option here. The team needs marked upgrades at wide receiver for Kyler Murray after seeing Marquise Brown bolt in free agency while trading Rondale Moore to the Atlanta Falcons.
- Buffalo Bills (No. 28): Pelissero noted that Legette took a top-30 visit with the Bills. It makes sense after the shocking trade of Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans earlier in the offseason. Regardless of what GM Brandon Beane says, this is a major need.
- San Francisco 49ers (No. 31): Even if the 49ers were to keep the aforementioned Aiyuk, there is still somewhat of a need at wide receiver. Legette is built in the same mold as fellow former South Carolina wide receiver Deebo Samuel. He’d be a perfect fit in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. If the 49ers do trade Aiyuk, this becomes even more of a possibility.