South Carolina Gamecocks in the NFL: Rookie Performances Recap

Xavier Legette headlines a group of rookies from South Carolina who are making an immediate impact on NFL rosters.

Dec 15, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette (17) with the ball as Dallas Cowboys cornerback Amani Oruwariye (27) defefends in the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images / Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Xavier Legette headlines a group of rookies from South Carolina who are making an immediate impact on NFL rosters.

Xavier Legette became the fifth South Carolina football player to be drafted in the first round since 2014. The former Gamecock did not disappoint in his first year with the Carolina Panthers. Legette finished the season with 49 receptions for 497 yards and four touchdowns despite the Panthers switching starting quarterbacks multiple times. His best game came in a week four matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals where he hauled in six catches for 66 yards and a touchdown. 

Legette was part of a group of four Gamecocks drafted in the 2024 NFL draft. He was joined by Spencer Rattler, Marcellas Dial and Nick Gargiulo. Rattler was drafted in the fifth round by the New Orleans Saints. Dial was drafted by the New England Patriots in the sixth round, and Gargiulo was drafted in the seventh round by the Denver Broncos. 

Rattler saw action in seven games in his first year with the Saints. In those seven games, he completed 57 percent of his passes for 1,317 yards and four touchdowns. It was certainly a learning experience for Rattler who failed to win a game as a starter and through more interceptions than touchdowns. 

Dial was mainly a special teamer for the Patriots. The defensive back played 83 percent of the Patriots special teams snaps and registered 12 tackles and a forced fumble. Dial had 114 tackles and three interceptions during his three-year career with the Gamecocks. 

Gargiulo was a backup for the Broncos and did not see the field at all. He started 12 games during his senior year for the Gamecocks. 

Legette and Rattler make this a decent draft class for the Gamecocks who continue to produce NFL players under head coach Shane Beamer. The 2025 rookies from South Carolina are sure to produce in the NFL as well with several players expected to get drafted. 

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