Colorado University Athletics
Buffs WR Shenault Goes To Jaguars In Second Round Of NFL Draft
April 24, 2020 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Colorado's Laviska Shenault Jr. became the Buffaloes' highest draft pick since 2011 Friday when the Jacksonville Jaguars took the talented wide receiver with the 42nd overall pick in the NFL Draft.
The 6-foot-1, 227-pound Shenault opted to make himself available for the draft after his junior year with the Buffaloes. Taken with the 10th pick in the second round, Shenault became CU's highest overall pick in the draft since tackle Nate Solder went to New England with the 17th pick in the first round and cornerback Jimmy Smith was selected by Baltimore with the 27th pick in the first round of the 2011 draft.
Heading into last season the DeSoto, Texas, prep product was projected as a potential top 10 pick, but injuries that limited him for roughly half the year dropped his stock. Shenault underwent surgery immediately after the NFL Combine in February to repair a core muscle and a recent doctor's report pronounced him 100 percent healthy again.
"I definitely had first-round hopes, but it is what it is," Shenault told the Jacksonville media after he was selected. "I understand everything happens for a reason. I'm just ready to work."
Shenault turned heads around the nation with a breakout sophomore year at CU when he caught 86 passes for 1,011 yards and six touchdowns while also rushing 17 times for 115 yards and five scores. He followed up with a solid junior year when, despite being the focal point of opposing defenses all year and battling injury, he still caught 56 passes for 764 yards and four touchdowns to go with 161 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
Shenault scored a touchdown the first time he touched the ball as a Buff, when he picked up a fumbled punt and took it 55 yards to the end zone as a freshman against Texas State.
That versatility is what Jacksonville was looking for, as they can use him on jet sweeps and reverses as well as in pass routes.
"You can use him in different alignments to try to get some mismatches on safeties and linebackers," said Jaguars director of college scouting Mark Ellenz. "It's something (offensive coordinator Jay) Coach Gruden, with our discussions with the coaching staff, was talking about. He kind of fit the mold of some of the things they want to do offensively."
Shenault's speed and strength have impressed NFL scouts and front office personnel since he burst onto the scene in his sophomore seasons. In a six-game span, he posted 780 receiving yards, 87 rushing yards and 11 total touchdowns. His play-making ability made him a threat to score from anywhere on the field and his size and strength made him one of the nation's leaders in yards after catch and yards after first contact. Pro Football Focus credited him with 44 broken tackles over the last two seasons, more than any other player in the draft.
"When he got the ball in his hands, it took the whole team to bring him down," Jaguars wide receivers coach Keenan McCardell said. "I was amazed at how many people it took to bring him down. He's very seldom tackled by one player. He has an ability to break tackles any time he gets the ball in his hands."
McCardell was also impressed with Shenault's versatility.
"They had him everywhere," McCardell said. "I saw him in the backfield. I saw him at quarterback. I saw him at outside receiver. I saw him at slot receiver. I like the fact that he's been moved around and he has really good football IQ."
Shenault said his reputation for toughness is something he takes pride in.
"That's how I live my life, being tough," he said. "I take it to the field. Anytime you see me, you're going to see me being tough."
Shenault became the ninth wide receiver selected in the 2020 draft, with six going in Thursday's first round and two more early in Friday's second round before the Jaguars called his name. He is CU's fourth second-round pick in the last seven years, joining wide receiver Paul Richardson (Seattle) in 2014, cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (Dallas) in 2017 and cornerback Isaiah Oliver (Atlanta) in 2018.
He is also the second CU wide receiver to be drafted in as many years. Last season, the Denver Broncos selected Juwann Winfree in the sixth round.
At Jacksonville, he will join an offense that has a standout young quarterback in former Washington State star Gardner Minshew, a Pro Bowl receiver in DJ Clark and solid running back in Leonard Fournette. The Jaguars were looking for a playmaker to pair with Clark and Shenault obviously fit the bill.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
