Carolina Panthers' New Wide Receiver Shares Emotions on Being Drafted by Hometown Team

Carolina Panthers’ New Wide Receiver Shares Emotions on Being Drafted by Hometown Team

Last season, the Carolina Panthers inadvertently hindered the development of their rookie No. 1 pick, Bryce Young, by providing him with inadequate support from the skill position players, arguably the weakest in the league. Recognizing this deficiency, the franchise prioritized enhancing the wide receiver position during the subsequent offseason.

In pursuit of this objective, the Panthers orchestrated a trade for Diontae Johnson from the Pittsburgh Steelers and, more recently, utilized the 32nd overall pick to secure South Carolina WR Xavier Legette. Legette’s evident enthusiasm for remaining in his home state was palpable during his press conference, where he expressed profound excitement, stating, “I woke up ready,” and revealing, “I was really trying to hold my tears in” upon receiving the draft day call.

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Born and raised in South Carolina, Legette spent five years in Columbia for college, making his transition to play for Carolina a homecoming of sorts, an opportunity he greeted with immense joy. His deep connection to the region, reflected even in his accent, suggests that he will seamlessly integrate into the team and emerge as a preferred target for Young, particularly as the quarterback enters a crucial sophomore season following his Heisman-winning debut.

Legette’s standout performance at South Carolina, where he tallied 71 catches for 1,255 yards and seven touchdowns last season, underscores his potential to significantly bolster the Panthers’ wide receiver corps. Alongside Johnson, Adam Thielen, and Jonathan Mingo, Legette forms a formidable group that promises to elevate the team’s offensive prowess.

At the NFL Combine, Legette’s remarkable athleticism was on full display, boasting impressive metrics including a height of 6’1″, weight of 221 pounds, a blistering 4.39-second 40-yard dash, a 40-inch vertical leap, and 24 reps on the bench press. His extraordinary physical attributes position him as a valuable asset to the Panthers’ offense, filling a void that was evident in the previous season.