Shane Beamer shares what he tells NFL teams about his former players

South Carolina receiver Xavier Legette came off the board in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, and more former Gamecocks are expected to hear their name called on Saturday.

South Carolina coach Shane Beamer believes he has has several former players ready to contribute at the next level.

Beamer recently shared what is message is to NFL teams who are considering picking a Gamecock.

“I’ve obviously gotten a lot of calls from NFL teams about Spencer [Rattler], about Xavier, about [Marcellas Dial], about a lot of our guys,” Shane Beamer said. “And No. 1, I tell all of those guys what great young men they are and competitors and how they made our program better.”

Legette was taken by the Carolina Panthers with the last pick in the first round, while Rattler is expected to be selected early on Saturday after not going in the first three rounds.

Beamer feels great about what those two former South Carolina stars will bring to an NFL team.

“With Spencer, the competitor he is. Obviously the talent speaks for itself. But I know that he’s really impressed a lot of NFL teams with the way that he dealt with adversity last year here at Carolina and the plays that he’s made during his time here, for sure,” Beamer said. “And then with Xavier Legette, the same thing. Just his work ethic. How football smart he is. How much he loves to compete.

“He was in the weight room at 6 a.m. on Thursday. He was in the weight room, working with our strength staff. And then Friday I come off the practice field and he’s in the weight room working out again. So he’s a guy that’s not satisfied. He’s got a great work ethic.”

Xavier Legette rookie contract figures with the Carolina Panthers revealed after NFL Draft

The Carolina Panthers made the dreams of former South Carolina star receiver Xavier Legette come true on Thursday evening. They snatched him up with the No. 32 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. And shortly after he was picked, his contract details were released by Spotrac.

According to their report, Xavier Legette should sign a four year deal worth $12.3 million. He’ll also get a $5.8 million signing bonus in the deal. And all of the money is fully guaranteed. The contract also has a fifth-year option in 2028.

In Legette’s first four seasons with South Carolina, he recorded 42 receptions for 423 yards and five touchdowns. But last season he went on an absolute tear catching 71 passes for 1,255 and seven touchdowns, becoming the team’s primary receiver following an injury to Juice Wells. Earning Second-Team All-SEC honors from the league’s coaches and media members and First-Team selections from three different publications.

Legette played high school football at Mullins High School in South Carolina where he was a three-star prospect, ranked the No. 762 overall recruit and the No. 109 wide receiver in the 2019 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.