The Carolina Panthers did their rookie No. 1 pick Bryce Young a disservice last season by surrounding him with the worst skill position players in the league, and improving the wide receiver position was a major area of focus for the franchise this offseason.
The Panthers traded for Diontae Johnson from the Pittsburgh Steelers and most recently used the 32nd overall pick on South Carolina WR Xavier Legette, who is clearly excited about staying in his home state.
Legette is born and raised in South Carolina and stayed in Columbia for five years of college, and now gets to take a quick trip north to play for Carolina, an idea he was ecstatic about in his press conference, saying “I woke up ready” and saying “I was really trying to hold my tears in” when he got the call on draft day.
Rooting for Xavier Legette.
A Carolina man through and through.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) April 28, 2024
Legette is a Carolina guy through and through, as evidenced by his accent, and should immediately step in as a preferred target for Young in what will be a crucial sophomore season for the former Heisman winner.
Legette broke out last season at South Carolina with 71 catches for 1,255 yards and seven touchdowns and will now form a solid WR room alongside Johnson, Adam Thielen, and Jonathan Mingo.
The former Gamecock tested through the roof at the NFL Combine, measuring in at 6’1″ and 221 pounds and running a blistering 4.39 40-yard dash to go along with a 40-inch vertical leap and 24 reps on the bench press.
He’s the sort of freak athlete this offense didn’t have in 2023.
