South Carolina Football mock draft: Stock up and stock down for Gamecocks after the Senior Bowl

Xavier Legette
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6'1" Weight: 223 Pounds
40 Time: Low 4.3s
Draft Projection High: Late 1st Round
Draft Projection Low: Late 3rd Round

Xavier Legette likely will be the first Gamecock taken in the 2024 NFL Draft, and he could be the South Carolina football program's highest selection since Jaycee Horn went 8th overall to the Carolina Panthers back in 2021.

Legette was a virtual draft afterthought heading into the 2023 season as inconsistent production, struggles with his hands, and battles with injuries hampered him in a big way. However, he had the biggest "Covid redshirt" draft boon of any player as his explosive '23 season saw him earn his way onto several All-American teams.

The Mullins, South Carolina native put up the second-most receiving yards in a season in South Carolina Gamecocks history as he snagged 71 balls for 1255 yards and 7 touchdowns. His size (listed anywhere from 6'1" to 6'3" but weighing around 225 pounds) and speed (runs a sub-4.4 in the 40-yard dash and was clocked at the fastest ball-carrier in football near the halway point of the season) combination is elite, and his production this year showed that those traits can translate to the field.

At the Senior Bowl, Legette had an up-and-down first day of practice but really turned it up on day 2. Legette wowed the scouts in attendance with his ability to make contested catched and his athletic measurables, and ClutchGeneSports' Marco Martinez named him one of his offensive "winners" from the Senior Bowl. He did struggle a bit dealing with press coverage, something that a player of his size easily can improve.

Legette has a lot of variance in his draft projections as he has been mocked anywhere from the late 1st round to the late 3rd round. His Senior Bowl showing has some organizations higher on him than they were going in but has other organizations viewing him as a "stock down" player. If given the right opportunity, though, he has the ability to become an elite player at the next level, much like his NFL comp, Eagles wide receiver AJ Brown.

Speaking of AJ Brown, the Tennessee Titans selected him in the 2nd round of the 2019 NFL Draft, and the team could be in the market for a receiver again in the 2nd round this year. Taking Xavier Legette with the 38th pick could be helpful to the Titans and young quarterback Will Levis.

Playing beside DeAndre Hopkins would provide a lot of learning opportunities for Legette, and the team has plenty of cap space this offseason to build up the rest of the roster in Year 1 of the Brian Callahan era of Tennessee football.