Charlotte: Xavier Legette Selected by Carolina in the First Round of the NFL Draft

University of South Carolina wide receiver Xavier Legette was selected by the Carolina Panthers with the 32nd pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Legette, who measured in at 6-1 ¼ and 222 pounds on the Gamecocks’ Pro Day in March, had an outstanding senior season for the Gamecocks, catching 71 passes for 1,255 yards and seven touchdowns. The 1,255 receiving yards was the second-highest single-season mark in school history.

Accomplishments

Legette finished his Carolina career with 113 receptions for 1,678 yards and 12 touchdowns and added 29 kickoff returns for 767 yards (26.4 yards per return) and one TD. The Mullins, S.C. product was recognized as the 2023 Blanchard-Rogers Trophy winner, which is the “Heisman Award” for the state of South Carolina. He was a third-team all-American according to Phil Steele and College Football Network and was named to the Senior Bowl All-American Team. He was a second-team All-SEC performer, according to the Associated Press and the league’s 14 coaches as a wide receiver and earned second team All-SEC honors from the AP as an all-purpose back.

Award Recognition

A semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award which recognizes the nation’s top wide receiver, Legette was selected as a Rex Enright Team Captain, the Most Outstanding Senior on the 2023 Carolina squad, the Steve Spurrier Award winner as the MVP of the Gamecock offense and shared the Steve Wadiak Team MVP Award with quarterback Spencer Rattler.

Draft History

Legette is the Gamecocks 16th first-round pick all time and the 10th since 2000. He is the Gamecocks’ first first-round selection and the first player taken by Carolina since cornerback Jaycee Horn was the Panthers’ first round selection in the 2021 draft. Legette, who earned a degree in sport and entertainment management, is the fifth Gamecock wide receiver taken in the draft in the last six years and the ninth in the past 12 years.

Continued Success

The Gamecocks have now had a player selected in 22 of the last 23 NFL Drafts. Legette’s selection by the Carolina Panthers marks another milestone for the Gamecocks’ successful football program.