South Carolina Football: 5 Gamecocks who could blow up in 2023

South Carolina Football players who could blow up in 2023:
Wide Receiver Xavier Legette

The role as the Gamecocks’ second pass catcher behind Juice Wells will be well-fought in 2023, and Xavier Legette could be the man who fills the spot. He will battle with fellow receivers Ahmarean Brown, Nyck Harbor, and Eddie Lewis and tight ends Trey Knox and Josh Simon for the non-Juice catches.

Legette has had the most overall success at South Carolina of the “next men up,” and he had a good performance to end the 2022 season in the Gator Bowl with 7 catches for 78 yards and 2 scores. A weapon in the kick return game, as well, Legette took one back for a touchdown last season and displayed the top-end speed and physicality that could propel him to a big 2023.

He is also one of the most impressive physical specimens on the South Carolina football roster. Nyck Harbor and Nick Emmanwori aside, Legette might be the most impressive combination of size and speed on the team. At 6’3″ and 227 pounds, he is also one of the fastest players in garnet and black. During last year’s kick return score against A&M, Legette broke tackles and then outran the coverage unit despite losing one of his shoes.

The 5th-year senior has had some struggles in his career with drops and injuries. By the end of last season, both of those issues appear to be behind Xavier Legette, and the Mullins High School alum is ready to break out for the Gamecocks. With all of the attention that Juice Wells will garner, and all the gravity that the Carolina tight end room will command, Legette will have plenty of opportunities to get loose in 2023.

New offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains likes to utilize receivers in the running game, and when the Gamecocks did that in 2022, Legette was one of the men carrying the football. USC fans can expect to see more of that this fall, and, hopefully, more of #17 in the end zone.