McLeod and the Gamecock coaching staff had a disagreement surrounding his desire to redshirt, and McLeod refused to travel to Missouri for USC's game against the Tigers. According to McLeod and his family, this was an isolated incident, but all other reports have indicated this was, instead, the final strike against the Camden, South Carolina native, and the dismissal was warranted.
Since then, McLeod has committed to the Georgia Bulldogs, and UGA's newest defensive tackle has decided to talk about the Gamecocks...a lot.
In his commitment interview with On3's Hayes Fawcett, McLeod called out South Carolina football fans: "I’m happy at my new home and ready to show the Georgia fans that I’m locked in and ready to dominate Sanford and I’m bought into the culture. For all the South Carolina fans that spoke bad about me and don’t know any accurate information we’ll see them in 2025."
A young man venting some frustrations with his former teams isn't that big of a deal, especially if it happens and then most sides move on. However, McLeod clearly has not moved on yet.
Despite now being with an SEC rival who has won two recent National Championships, decided he had more to say, contending that Georgia defensive line coach Tray Scott will "impact my game more than South Carolina ever poured into me." He also called USC an "OK program."
The Gamecock fanbase has had it with the big fella.
He was kicked off the team. Kicked off - he didn’t quit. He can say whatever he wants but he will have to prove it on the field & locker room. Talk is cheap.
— Evan Laskaris (@elaskaris) December 27, 2023
Bro is lazy, defiant, and un-coachable. His opinion means nothing. Kirby will ride him harder than Beamer’s staff did and he will quit.
— aintlifegrand75 (@GR8FUL1977) December 27, 2023
What a clown. You got kicked off the team Bud
— spurs up (@ScGamecocks123) December 27, 2023
Even Georgia fans don't seem to be too happy with McLeod's garnet and black-colored vendetta.
As a south carolinian and dawg fan- i do hope this guy grows up but he was a troublemaker in high school and kicked out a few times. At USC he was going to play at Missouri but refused to get
— Quit making excuses!! (@maybestudysome) December 27, 2023
On plane. said he wanted to red shirt.
I know Kirby’s aware and wont put up with it.
kirby needs to put him on the no media list
— Jimmer (@ADJimmer) December 26, 2023
Xzavier McLeod is an extremely talented individual player, but he already wore out his welcome at one SEC program. If he doesn't do some maturing, he could be destined for the same fate at another.