Tag: Xavier Legette

College football’s top performers in the SEC during Week 4

An aerial onslaught from a pair of South Carolina Gamecocks highlights the SEC’s best in Week 4.

Nick Saban’s fourth fight with former assistant Lane Kiffin stole all the headlines going into the Southeastern Conference’s Week 4 slate, but Alabama and Ole Miss only combined for 34 points in a comfortable Crimson Tide victory.

Did any members of Saban’s squad incredibly impress? What about Jayden Daniels and LSU, who survived a home scare against Arkansas to keep pace with the top of the West? Not to mention a South Carolina passing attack that stole headlines in a victory which moved the Gamecocks back to .500.

Here are the best performers in the SEC for Week 4.

Saints’ scouts got a good look at Drake Maye in North Carolina-South Carolina

The New Orleans Saints’ scouts got a good look at Drake Maye in UNC-South Carolina. They were one of 19 NFL teams in attendance:

The New Orleans Saints’ college scouting department got a fast start to their 2024 NFL draft prep. And they were one of many pro teams on hand for one of the week’s most anticipated matchups: North Carolina’s rout of their major rival South Carolina.

The Tar Heel Tribune’s R.L. Bynum reports that the Saints were one of 19 NFL teams credentialed for seats in the press box at Bank of America Stadium. UNC quarterback Drake Maye was the marquee prospect, and there’s a good chance he lands in the NFC South next April. With the Arizona Cardinals going all in to tank for the first overall pick (and USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams), Maye is a more realistic target for needy division rivals like the Atlanta Falcons or Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

But Maye had an up-and-down night in the Tar Heels’ big win. He completed 24 of 36 passes for a respectable 269 yards but threw as many interceptions as touchdown passes (2). He’ll need to protect the football more effectively to keep pro coaches off his back, even if he has a talented enough roster around him to get away with it at the college level.

He was hardly the only NFL prospect on the field. North Carolina senior linebacker Cedric Gray led his team with 9 tackles (3 solo, 1.5 tackles for loss) and 1.5 sacks, though junior tight end Bryson Nesbit was limited to 3 catches for just 22 receiving yards.

And let’s not forget the other sideline. Gamecocks quarterback Spencer Rattler didn’t turn the ball over while completing 30 of his 39 pass attempts for 353 yards, but he also didn’t take advantage of scoring opportunities. His favorite target was senior wide receiver Xavier Legette, who broke out with the best game of his career — totaling 9 receptions for 178 yards, more than he’s ever had in an entire season. He’s listed at 6-foot-3 and 227 pounds and did a great job using his size to fight for contested catches. He might be someone to keep tabs on as the college football season (and the long march towards the 2024 NFL draft) continues.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Twitter reacts to Braden Lenzy’s game-tying touchdown in Gator Bowl

Huge touchdown.

Notre Dame has bent but not broken against South Carolina in Gator Bowl. Not once have the Irish held the lead. But they keep putting themselves in position to eventually take it.

Late in the third quarter, the Irish trailed, 31-24, after the Gamecocks’ Xavier Legette scored a touchdown on which he appeared to kick up white chalk on the edge of the end zone. The touchdown stood upon review, so the Irish were forced to play from behind yet again and hope for another big play. They got one when they were set up nicely on a short punt, and [autotag]Tyler Buchner[/autotag] hit [autotag]Braden Lenzy[/autotag] for a 44-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage:

This is yet another reminder of how different the Irish are this season. In years past, they would have curled up in a ball at any sign of adversity. Instead, they’re going to make the Gamecocks earn this game. Irish fans on Twitter love that and this touchdown: