When Owensboro Catholic football shocked Bowling Green on their home turf to start the 2025 season, Xavier Maddox was a major catalyst – catching seven passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns. Maddox walked away from the game with a newfound confidence that his lifelong goal was in sight – competing at the collegiate level.
Now his dream has finally been realized, as this past Wednesday the senior signed to play for Gardner-Webb University.
“I wanted to go somewhere I could go and compete at the highest level of competition,” Maddox said. “It was a great visit. We watched the spring game, and they brought a lot of intensity. So, I just felt that it was a place for home and somewhere I wanted to be a part of.”
In only two years at Owensboro Catholic, Xavier Maddox emerged as a top wideout threat for Brady Atwell and Dre’Mail Carothers – hauling in 107 catches for 1,771 yards and 21 touchdowns. This past season, he exploded for 1,390 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns as the Aces’ number one receiver.
After his breakout game against Bowling Green, Maddox began focusing on hitting the weight room and continued to rehab from the injuries he suffered during his junior season.
Open to leaving the state, Maddox spoke with multiple schools, including the University of Toledo and Valparaiso University, before deciding on Gardner-Webb. In the classroom, Maddox plans to enter the medical field.
“I plan on doing pre-med since my mom and stepmom are both in the medical field,” Maddox said.
Gardner-Webb has already received a workout plan from Garnder Webb and acknowledged that since his senior season has ended, he has already added 15-20 pounds.
“I will say the biggest thing that was in my way, separating me from the game was adding weight,” Maddox said. “Now that I have done that, I just need to work on getting my speed up, working on routes almost every day, and just being a well-rounded player.”
