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Xavier Legette Explains Why He's Yet to Reach Out to Panthers Rookie Tetairoa McMillan

The Carolina wide receiver has his reasons.
Legette was drafted by Carolina with the 32nd pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
Legette was drafted by Carolina with the 32nd pick in the 2024 NFL draft. | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

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The Carolina Panthers added some help to quarterback Bryce Young's wide receiver corps when they selected Tetairoa McMillan out of Arizona with the No. 8 pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

The rookie pass catcher will join—among others—Adam Thielen, Hunter Renfrow and 2024 first-round pick Xavier Legette in Carolina's room. Ahead of the 2025 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Legette spoke with Kay Adams on her Up & Adams show and revealed that he has yet to reach out to his new teammate in McMillan, but gave a good reason why:

"I didn't wanna text him yet," he explained. "I wanna talk to him when he comes in so I can build that relationship with him once he gets in there."

"He's a good player, man," Legette continued. "I was even watching him play last year, seeing what he was doing. Making some incredible catches. I think he's gonna do good in the NFL."

He added that McMillan's ability to high-point passes is what stands out most about his game.

Legette hauled in 49 passes for 497 yards and four touchdowns throughout his rookie season in Carolina. He'll now team up with McMillan to form what they hope to be a dynamic wide receiver duo for their young quarterback Young.


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Published | Modified
 Mike Kadlick
MICHAEL KADLICK

Mike Kadlick is an NFL writer for Sports Illustrated. He’s also a New England Patriots reporter for CLNS Media, where he hosts the Patriots Daily podcast and covers the beat from Gillette Stadium. Before joining SI, Kadlick worked at WEEI sports radio in Boston. He holds a master’s degree in public relations from Boston University. When Kadlick’s not covering football, he can be found running, spending time with his wife and dog, and enjoying all things pizza.