As the Carolina Panthers looked to surround Bryce Young with playmakers, they traded into the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft to get one. They moved up to take Xavier Legette out of South Carolina, and it sounds like he made an impression through the offseason program.
To veteran receiver Adam Thielen, Legette is fitting in just fine. He had some high praise for the rookie during an appearance with Rich Eisen.
Legette drew comparisons to DK Metcalf during minicamp, and Thielen said new coach Dave Canales also thinks highly of the rookie. That unique skillset makes Legette a coveted piece on the roster.
“I think I saw a little snippet of the Panthers did a little documentary deal they do every summer, and a little snippet of how Coach Canales talks about him,” Thielen said. “His ability to have that size and length, and then, pair that with speed and movement and the way that he attacks the football, you don’t find those guys everywhere. There’s not a guy like that in every draft, there’s not a guy like that on every team. I think the potential is, the sky’s the limit for him. I’m excited to be around him.
“I think a great thing about him, as well, is he’s kind of a sponge in the fact that he does want to learn. He’s not a guy that is just coming in, thinking that he knows everything because he’s a top draft pick and had success his last year of college. He’s a guy who just is a sponge and wants to learn, wants to grow as a player, wants to grow as a person. I really enjoy that part of the game.”
Adam Thielen: I ‘semi-translate’ for Xavier Legette
Legette is coming off the best year of his career at South Carolina, hauling in 71 receptions for 1,255 yards and seven touchdowns to lead the Gamecocks. That helped him become a projected late-first or early second-round draft pick, and the Panthers took him in the first so he had a fifth-year option in his contract.
But Legette is also making an impact off the field. In receiver meetings, Thielen said he’s showcasing his personality – and his South Carolina accent. That also means he’s developing a relationship with the veteran Thielen, who sometimes has to help make sure the coaches out with that.
“I just love his personality,” Thielen said. “He’s just a fun guy to be around. Most people can’t really understand what he’s saying because he’s real country, which I think is hilarious. Our receiver coach still can’t figure out what he’s saying, so I have to semi-translate for him, which is fun.
“He’s just a good person to be around. A good kid.”
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