Scouting Report: Xavier Legette (WR) - South Carolina
Sales Pitch: “Explosive straight-line athlete who is a big time YAC threat but lacks overall polish. Possesses a big catch radius and the leaping ability to be a ball winner at the catch point but requires specific play calling to get him into favorable situations.”
Athletic Profile
Height: 6’ 1”
Weight: 221 lbs
Arm Length: 31 7/8”
Hand Size: 9”
40 Yard Dash: 4.39
10 Yard Split: 1.57
Vertical: 40”
Broad Jump: 10’ 6”
Short Shuttle: N/A
3-Cone: N/A
Age: 23
Relative Athletic Score: 9.90 / 10.00
Statistics
Career: 113 REC - 1,678 YDS - 14.8 YPR - 12 TD
2023: 71 REC - 1,255 YDS - 7 TD
Strengths
Fantastic straight line athlete w/ plus speed and burst
Powerful muscular frame w/ good play strength
Burst and explosiveness to quickly get off the line of scrimmage
Good separation on one cut routes asking him to pull away from defenders
Strong hands with a big catch radius that allows him to corral errant passes
Explosiveness and aggression at the catch point to be a ball winner down the field
Shows balance and body control navigating the boundary as a ball carrier and receiver
Blends contact balance and play speed to be dynamic YAC threat
Versatility to align at multiple spots due to unique blend of athleticism and size
Special teams background with return ability
Physical traits to be an impact blocker
Weaknesses
Average change of direction ability
Late break out age with limited experience at WR
Basic release package that relies solely on straight line speed
Limited route tree, struggles to separate on more nuanced routes due to limited quickness
Lacks the ability to alter tempo and angles in his routes to attack defenders
Fails to consistently find open space and work for his QB
Often rounds off the top of his routes and allows defenders to undercut throws
Inconsistent vision as a runner, struggles to read blocks quickly on the move
Questionable jump timing in contested catch situations
Lack of polish at the line of scrimmage may limit his ability to line up on the perimeter at the next level
Summary
Few players in all of college football were bigger risers than Xavier Legette in 2023. The former QB was a special teams staple for the South Carolina Gamecocks until 2023, when the Senior was one of the most productive WRs in all of college football. His 71 catches for over 1,200 yards in his breakout season accounted for over 75% of his collegiate production. An explosive straight-line athlete Legette makes his living running away from defenders. His combination of burst and long speed makes him particularly effective on one cut routes (crossers, posts, go’s, tunnel screen) that take him towards space. Legette has a muscular frame with good strength and balance that allows him to pinball off contact as a route runner and ball carrier. His return skills show up after the catch where he quickly transitions to a dynamic ball carrier. Despite coming in at a disappointing 6’ 1” at the Senior Bowl Legette has plus length for the position. His combination of length, strength and aggression makes him a big time ball winner down the field and in traffic. Legette has tremendous physical gifts but lacks polish. Only a one year starter his releases and route stems are extremely basic. He relies on his athletic ability and strength to win as a route runner. Legette struggles to add tempo or deception to his routes and as a result he struggles to separate on more complicated concepts. He also fails to consistently attack space versus zone coverage, too often drifting and creating poor spacing in the team concept. While Legette is a good athlete he isn’t the type of game changer needed to get away with raw or poor technique. His lack of agility and lateral quickness limits his ability to elude quicker defenders and separate on routes that require quick stop-start ability. Legette’s intriguing blend of size, speed and power makes him interesting Day 2 candidate. Players with his gifts at the catch point and with the ball in his hands don’t grow on trees. However, teams will be vary of his limited production and lack of polish especially at his age. The floor of Legette is not as low you would typically think thanks to his special team’s ability but as a relatively limited player who relies on physical gifts there is some inherent risk.