Saturday afternoon, under the bright sunshine in Charlotte, Xavier Legette was seen putting in extra work after a demanding two-hour practice. He moved to the back corner of the field with running back Chuba Hubbard for additional drills on the Jugs machine, an exercise that has become routine for him.
Legette emphasized the importance of this practice: “Yes, sir, yes, sir, man; it helps me with the hand-eye coordination.” This dedication to refining his skills is not new for Legette. He recalled doing similar work at Bank of America Stadium earlier when most veterans had not yet reported for training camp.
The supplementary sessions are more than just catching passes; they simulate game situations where players make it challenging for each other. As Legette noted: “You see the things that they’re doing… we’re kind of putting it in game situations.”
Reflecting on his rookie season, Legette admitted he momentarily stepped away from this routine but soon realized its significance. “Oh man, it’s always been something I’ve done,” he said. His commitment is evident as he spends time off-season practicing with equipment staff members Grayson Sandlin and Mack Whitehurst.
Panthers head coach Dave Canales praised Legette’s work ethic: “Yeah, I mean X came like that,” acknowledging his dedication from day one. Canales also observed growth in Legette’s confidence and understanding of team strategies.
Within the receiver group, which includes experienced players like Adam Thielen and Hunter Renfrow as well as rookie Tetairoa McMillan, there is a shared drive to maintain high standards. Legette described this dynamic: “I think the room is uncomfortable as a whole… you have to come with it every day.”
For Legette and his teammates, going above and beyond regular training hours seems to be paying off.
