The 2020 wide receiver class has the potential to be one of the best in recent memory with likes of Tee Higgins, CeeDee Lamb, Henry Ruggs, Jerry Jeudy, and Justin Jefferson all with a realistic shot of going in the first-round. Laviska Shenualt needs to be a part of the first-round discussion as well. The Colorado prospect certainly has the “big wide receiver” frame at 6 feet 2 inches tall and 220 pounds. However, his production profile needs some context.
LATE BLOOMER
Primarily a basketball player growing up, Shenault had grown his hair out into dreadlocks to honor his late father. His basketball coach would not change his policy on hair being longer than shoulder-length, so Shenault gave up basketball. His family struggles are already well documented, leading to a reserved and quiet personality that seems to be at odds with what we usually think of when we consider top-tier wide receivers.
Shenault was a three-star prospect from DeSoto, Texas, using 247Sports Composite Rankings. He had offers from Alabama, Oklahoma State, and Louisiana State to name a few. That’s an impressive list on its own, but becomes even more of an accomplishment when you consider Shenualt played just two years of football in high school. He finished his senior year with 825 yards on 46 receptions and nine touchdowns, leading DeSoto to the Texas Class 6A Division II state title. Despite visiting Alabama and LSU, Shenault signed with Colorado in February of 2017.
