Panthers share why they drafted South Carolina WR Xavier Legette
South Carolina wide receiver Xavier Legette predicted before the NFL Draft that if the Carolina Panthers were in position to select him with their first pick then they’d do so.
Not only did the local franchise select the Gamecocks’ standout wide receiver but they moved up one spot into the first round Thursday ensuring they could take the Mullins, S.C. native.
“We love Xavier,” Panthers President of Football Operations/General Manager Dan Morgan said. “Everything he (brought) not only as a person but as a player, like his ability to attack the ball when it’s in the air, his ability to run with it after the catch. He’s just big, he’s strong, he’s physical. I think he has a lot of upside. So, we wanted to take that opportunity to go get our guy.”
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South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer has long mentioned the value of having a coordinator with NFL ties in helping prepare his players for the next level.
Panthers head coach Dave Canales mentioned long-time NFL offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains, now the Gamecocks’ play-caller, and his scheme as another reason the Panthers were comfortable with Legette.
“He’s a guy that I know and (Legette) credited (Loggains) for giving him exposure in a pro-style type of offense,” Canales said. “And the way that they used him this past year was impressive. He was able to articulate all that. He was able to teach our coaches what he was doing what the offense was, and that all that part was really impressive as well.”
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Loggains and the Gamecocks used Legette all over this past season, lining him up on the outside, at slot receiver, and in the backfield, while also using him as a gunner and kickoff returner on special teams.
For Canales, who ran Tampa Bay’s offense last season during the Bucs’ surprise playoff run, that created a nice fit for what he hopes to be on that side of the ball.
“Our offense, the versatility of how we use our players … versatility is huge for us,” Canales said. “So when you get a guy who can really run a guy who can high point the ball, a guy that can carry it and you can give him the ball different ways. He just brings a lot of versatility.”
Added Morgan: “Xavier is a unique guy; he’s big, he’s strong, he’s fast, physical. He just had a lot of things that we loved. Then bringing him in here for his (Top) 30 visit, just kind of sitting with him, we were sitting in the draft room with him, me and Dave and some of the scouts, and just to kind of talk to him and feel his passion for the game, his love for the game, it just really made me love him even more. We’re just really happy to have him.”
Now it’s time to get to work.
“Now with that being said, he’s got a long way to go,” Canales said. “He’s got to learn our stuff. He’s got to figure out the system and, and find out how he fits into the whole thing, not just the pass game, but the run game as well. So, just speaking to that, I’m just really excited to bring his talents to our offense. At the same time, I’m sure he knows, too, he’s got a lot of work in front of him.”
