Xavier Legette

Xavier Legette (WR) – South Carolina / Senior (5th year)

6’1″, 221 Lbs. (Combine)

2023 Stats: 12 games, 71 receptions, 1255 Yards, 17.7 Avg., 7 TDs

{Reference: Xavier Legette College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits | College Football at Sports-Reference.com}

Awards/Leader: 2nd Team All-SEC

Measurables (Combine): 

RAS: 9.92

Games Watched: Georgia (2023), Florida (2023), Clemson (2023)

PRO’S 

Legette has very dependable hands and excellent catch point skills. He had only 2 drops with 71 catches after having 6 drops and only 34 catches over his first 4 years. He may have measured shorter than expected at the Senior Bowl, but his long arms and great leaping ability combine to give Legette a huge catch radius. He’s a long strider with deep speed, and will glide past flat footed defensive backs with ease. These traits also help him have success on comebacks and hitches, where he runs full speed and keeps the same body language he shows on vertical routes. He handles physical defenders fairly well, as long as he has a plan and isn’t caught off guard with contact. He can also be very dangerous in the open field when he’s able to pick up a head of steam off of slants and over routes. South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer has lauded his work ethic and football IQ, pointing to his understanding of all 3 receiver positions. Beamer even shared an anecdote where Legette called him at 10:30pm on a Friday so that he could get into the team facility for another workout.

CON’S

The route running is definitely still a work in progress. The small details just don’t show up consistently. He does not do enough with his route stems to create favorable leverage against his defender. On crossing routes, he rarely threatens over the top defenders with the potential for a vertical route, allowing them to beat him to his spot. He often tips off his routes by leaning before he executes his break, particularly when he’s using a speed break. Legette also has a very limited selection of release techniques and has lapses with the ones he does use. Against zone coverage, there were quite a few plays where he would run straight into the open space and break towards a defender, not giving his QB a big enough window to throw. He may have a similar build to another former Gamecock, Deebo Samuel, but he doesn’t run with nearly the same amount of power or vision. His pad level is often too high, preventing him from running through defenders.

OVERALL 

Xavier Legette went into his 5th year at South Carolina as mostly a special teams player, with a career high of just 113 receiving yards. Out of nowhere, he blew up for 178 yards in week 1 against UNC and never looked back. In the era of the transfer portal and extreme roster turnover, it’s great to see a player stick at the same program and work hard until their time finally comes. That being said, Legette is a flawed prospect. He’s a natural pass catcher, but his lack of nuance and technical refinement as a route runner are going to hold him back from being much more than a situational contributor early in his career. I could see him developing into a worthwhile slot option, or even a starting X receiver if he can improve his release game. He’ll also provide immediate value on special teams as both a gunner and a returner. I wouldn’t fault a team for using an early day 3 pick on Legette, but any earlier than that would be too rich for me. 

Completed by: @DrinkMyCola11, 02/16/24

Reviewed & edited: J. Clark, 02/16/24

Updated: 03/02/24