South Carolina Football: Gamecock playmaker added to award watchlist for record-breaking start

South Carolina football wide receiver Xavier Legette has been one of college football’s biggest surprise performers so far in 2023. The fifth-year senior wide receiver had caught just 42 passes for 423 yards over four seasons of action coming into this fall.

In 2023, he has 32 catches for 606 yards, including two performances (9-178 against North Carolina and 5-189 against Mississippi State) that were each better than his best full season.

Legette’s 606 yards are the second-most through five games in South Carolina football history, behind only Alshon Jeffery‘s 625 yards through five contests in 2010. Legette owns the record for weeks 1-5 and is just 85 yards shy of claiming the seven-game record.

XL sits 4th in the country in receiving yards behind only Missouri’s Luther Burden (644 yards), LSU’s Malik Nabers (625 yards), and Washington’s Rome Odunze (608 yards). He led the nation in yards after weeks 1 and 4.

For his efforts, Legette has been added to the Biletnikoff Award watchlist. Most of the watch list was decided before the season began, but #17’s explosion onto the scene this fall made his inclusion warranted. Fellow Gamecock Juice Wells is also on the watchlist, but because he has been out or limited with injury for most of the season, he will not bring home the trophy.

No South Carolina football player has ever won the Biletnikoff. Alshon Jeffery was the closest Gamecock to winning the award, finishing as a finalist in 2010 behind eventual winner Justin Blackmon of Oklahoma State.

Each season, the Biletnikoff Award is given to the top pass catcher in the country. Tight ends and running backs are eligibile to win the award, but only wide receivers actually have won the Bilenikoff during its 29-year history.

Legette will continue his assault on the record books and his pursuit of the Biletnikoff Award against the Florida Gators after a bye week this weekend.