South Carolina Football: Gamecock record-holder to play in Senior Bowl

South Carolina football quarterback Spencer Rattler announced on Wednesday that he would be entering the 2024 NFL Draft, news that did not surprise anyone who watched him play this season. The talented Gamecock also will play in the Reese’s Senior Bowl to try to help out his draft stock.

Also on Wednesday, it was announced that another Gamecock would play in a postseason all-star game. Cornerback Marcellas Dial, who spent three years with the South Carolina football program after beginning his career at Georgia Military College, will play in the East-West Shrine Bowl.

A third postseason all-star game participant’s name popped up on Wednesday, as well. Wide receiver Xavier Legette, who many believe will be taken in the top-2 rounds of the NFL Draft, will be joining his quarterback at the Senior Bowl.

Legette could be in store for a nice bump in his draft stock. Standing at 6’3″ and weighing in at over 225 pounds, he is also one of the fastest in-game wide receivers in this year’s draft. At the halfway point of this season, he had reached the fastest ball-carrier speed of any player across football. That includes college and the NFL.

All of the predraft processes (Senior Bowl, NFL Scouting Combine, South Carolina Football Pro Day, etc.) should serve as boons for the Mullins, South Carolina native. As one of the draft’s biggest and fastest receivers, his measurements and testing only will help Legette as the things scouts see with their eyes are backed up by official numbers.

He profiles very similarly to fellow physical freaks like DK Metcalf and Josh Gordon who were both 2nd round selections (Gordon via the Supplemental Draft). Legette had a better college career than them both and seems still to have untapped potential as a player who exploded onto the scene in his final season of college ball.

The NFL Draft will take place April 25th-27th.