Shane Beamer hopes Xavier Legette is just getting started for South Carolina

South Carolina receiver Xavier Legette has stepped up in a major way in light of multiple injuries early this season. The fifth-year senior has 27 catches for 556 yards — tied with Alshon Jeffrey for the school record through the first four games of the season — and three touchdowns.

Legette’s yardage so far is already a career-best and more than triple his previous high of 167 yards from last season. Gamecocks coach Shane Beamer was expecting a higher level of production from the receiver this season, but what he’s done so far has been above and beyond.

“I thought he’d have a big year, but the year he’s had statistically at this point and what he continues to do week in and week out — I wouldn’t say I’m necessarily shocked because I see how hard he works and I’ve always known he’s really, really talented,” the coach said. “I’ve always known he’s a big body that can run. He’s taken it to another level this season. I’m proud of him and hopefully he’s just getting started.”

With both Juice Wells and Ahmarean Brown sidelined due to injury this past week, Legette had his best game of the season. The receiver caught five passes for a career-high 189 yards and two touchdowns as South Carolina defeated Mississippi State. That number alone is more than he put up in an entire season any of the past four years.

Legette has posted at least 100 yards in three of four games this season and has yet to fall below the 70-yard mark in any game. He currently leads the SEC in receiving yardage, narrowly edging out LSU‘s Malik Nabers for the top spot.

A native of Mullins, South Carolina, Legette arrived in Columbia in 2019 as a three-star recruit. He ranked as the No. 762 overall prospect and No. 109 receiver in the 2019 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Legette made several starts prior to this year and also served as the primary kick returner last season, setting a school record with an average of 29.4 yards per return and running one back for a touchdown. However, he found himself behind Wells and Jalen Brooks in terms of targets and had a limited impact.

That’s clearly changed this year, and Legette should have a chance to continue to serve as the top receiver with Wells and Brown out. He’ll hope to keep his hot start going when the Gamecocks face Tennessee at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday in Knoxville.