50 Facts About Xavier Legette

Early Life and High School Career

Xavier Legette's journey to becoming a top NFL prospect began in Mullins, South Carolina. His early years were marked by impressive performances on the high school football field.

1. Birthdate and Hometown: Xavier Legette was born on January 29, 2001, in Mullins, South Carolina.

2. High School Career: Legette played quarterback in high school, rushing for 1,826 yards and 19 touchdowns, while passing for 887 yards and 14 scores.

3. High School Achievements: He led his team to an 8-2 record in 2018 and a berth in the second round of the AA state playoffs.

4. Zoneman Trophy Finalist: Legette was one of three finalists for the 2018 WPDE Zoneman Trophy.

5. State Ranking: He was considered the 10th-best prospect in South Carolina, rated the 40th-best “athlete” in the country, and number 709 overall according to 247Sports Composite.

College Transition and Performance

Legette's transition to college football saw him switch positions and grow into a standout wide receiver at the University of South Carolina.

6. College Position: Legette transitioned to wide receiver in college, becoming a top prospect for the 2024 NFL Draft.

7. College Height and Weight: He stands at 6 feet 3 inches and weighs 227 pounds.

8. College Career: Over five years, Legette appeared in 53 games with 32 starts, logging 113 career receptions for 1,678 yards with 12 receiving touchdowns and one kickoff return for a score.

9. 2023 Season Highlights: In his super senior season, Legette had a breakout year, pulling in 71 receptions for 1,255 yards and seven touchdowns.

10. SEC Accolades: He earned first-team All-SEC accolades from PFF, Phil Steele, and College Football Network.

Special Teams and Academic Achievements

Legette's contributions extended beyond offense, making significant impacts on special teams and in the classroom.

11. Special Teams Contributions: Legette returned 29 kicks for 767 yards with an average of 26.5 yards per return and one touchdown.

12. Academic Achievements: He earned a degree in sport and entertainment management and was named to the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll in 2020 and the SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll in 2019-20.

Physical Attributes and Playing Style

Legette's physical build and playing style have drawn comparisons to some of the greatest NFL receivers.

13. Physical Attributes: Legette’s lean and dense muscle structure makes him a formidable receiver on the field.

14. Athletic Build Comparison: His build is often compared to NFL legends like Art Monk, Jerry Rice, and Al Toon.

15. Route Running Ability: Legette’s ability to run routes smoothly and make quick moves on cornerbacks is reminiscent of veteran NFL receivers.

16. Zone Coverage Destruction: He excels in destroying zone coverage by gliding quickly and building speed.

17. Deep Game Expertise: Legette thrives further downfield, high-pointing the ball-contested catches with good timing and vertical ability.

College Statistics and NFL Draft Projections

Legette's college stats and NFL draft projections highlight his potential to make a significant impact at the professional level.

18. Catch Rate Statistics: Over his college career, Legette has shown a consistent catch rate, improving each year.

19. NFL Draft Projections: As of February 1, 2024, Legette is projected by 21.1% of the NFL Draft community to be a first-round pick.

20. NFL Draft Grade: Daniel Kelly from First Round Mock has given Legette a first-round draft grade.

21. Comparison to Other Prospects: Legette’s valuation is mixed with that of Deebo Samuel and Treylon Burks.

22. Combine Performance: At the NFL Combine, Legette ran a 4.39 in the 40-yard dash and recorded a 40-inch vertical jump.

High School Football Background and Injuries

Legette's early football experiences and injury history have shaped his resilience and determination.

23. High School Football Background: Legette started playing football as a running back to emulate his favorite player, Marshawn Lynch.

24. Injury History: Despite his impressive performance in his super senior season, Legette has faced injuries throughout his college career.

Off-Field Influence and Draft Class Competition

Legette's off-field influences and the competitive draft class have played significant roles in his journey.

25. Off-Field Influence: Legette has been influenced by his friend and former Gamecock, Deebo Samuel.

26. Draft Class Competition: Legette is part of one of the deepest classes of the draft, presenting a challenge for him to stand out.

Game Film Review and 2023 Game Stats

Legette's game film and 2023 season stats showcase his abilities and consistency on the field.

27. College Game Film Review: Legette’s game film has been extensively reviewed, with notable performances against top teams.

28. 2023 Game Stats: In the 2023 season, Legette recorded 71 receptions for 1,255 yards with an average of 17.7 yards per reception and seven touchdowns.

Awards and Recognitions

Legette's numerous awards and recognitions highlight his talent and hard work.

29. Senior Bowl All-American Team: Legette was named to the Senior Bowl All-American Team in 2023.

30. Third-Team All-American: He was recognized as a third-team All-American by Phil Steele and College Football Network in 2023.

31. First-Team All-SEC: Legette earned first-team All-SEC accolades from PFF, Phil Steele, and College Football Network in 2023.

32. Second-Team All-SEC: He was a second-team All-SEC selection by the Associated Press and the league’s 14 coaches as a wide receiver in 2023.

33. SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll: Legette was named to the SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll in 2019-20.

34. SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll: He was also named to the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll in 2020.

35. Blanchard-Rogers Trophy Finalist: Legette was a finalist for the Blanchard-Rogers Trophy in 2023.

36. Rex Enright Team Captain: He was named the Rex Enright Team Captain in 2023.

37. Steve Wadiak Team MVP: Legette shared the Steve Wadiak Team MVP award with Spencer Rattler in 2023.

38. Steve Spurrier Award – MVP Offense: He won the Steve Spurrier Award as the MVP of the offense in 2023.

39. Most Outstanding Senior: Legette was named the Most Outstanding Senior in 2023.

40. Biletnikoff Award Semifinalist: He was one of the semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award in 2023.

Midseason and Toughness Awards

Legette's midseason recognitions and toughness awards further emphasize his impact on the field.

41. Midseason Second-Team All-American: Legette was named a midseason second-team All-American by the Associated Press in 2022.

42. Gamecocks’ Toughness Award – Offense: He received the Gamecocks’ Toughness Award – Offense in 2022.

High-Pointing and Physical Comparison

Legette's ability to high-point the ball and his physical comparison to other receivers set him apart.

43. Highpointing the Ball: Legette has shown exceptional ability to high-point the ball, making catches over defenders who had him covered.

44. Physical Comparison to Other Receivers: Legette is arguably the No. 1 guy physically among his peers, with a size and speed combination that sets him apart.

Special Teams Impact and Career Milestones

Legette's special teams impact and career milestones highlight his versatility and achievements.

45. Impact on Special Teams: In addition to his wide receiver duties, Legette has made significant contributions on special teams.

46. College Career Milestones: Legette’s 113 career receptions rank 15th on the school’s all-time list, and his 1,678 receiving yards place him among the top receivers in Gamecocks history.

Breakout Season and Off-Field Personality

Legette's breakout season and off-field personality have made him a beloved figure among teammates and fans.

47. Breakout Season: Despite his impressive stats in his super senior season, Legette’s breakout year was marked by consistency and hard work.

48. Off-Field Personality: Legette is described as a great dude to be around by his quarterback, Spencer Rattler.

Career Path Inspiration and NFL Team Interest

Legette's career path inspiration and NFL team interest indicate a bright future ahead.

49. Career Path Inspiration: Legette draws inspiration from players like Puka Nacua, who was a fifth-round draft pick but went on to set multiple NFL records.

50. NFL Team Interest: Despite being part of one of the deepest classes of the draft, Legette has garnered significant interest from NFL teams.

Xavier Legette's Bright Future

Xavier Legette's journey from Mullins, South Carolina, to becoming a standout wide receiver at the University of South Carolina is nothing short of impressive. His transition from high school quarterback to college wide receiver showcases his versatility and dedication. With a height of 6 feet 3 inches and weighing 227 pounds, Legette's physical attributes make him a formidable presence on the field. His impressive stats, including 71 receptions for 1,255 yards in his super senior season, highlight his skill and consistency. Earning accolades like first-team All-SEC and being a Biletnikoff Award semifinalist further cements his status as a top prospect for the 2024 NFL Draft. With his ability to high-point the ball, deep game expertise, and contributions on special teams, Legette is poised to make a significant impact in the NFL. His future looks incredibly bright.