Shenault, Montez, Taylor and Brown invited to NFL Scouting Combine

The NFL released the list of 337 former college players invited to the 2020 Scouting Combine. Four Colorado Buffaloes were among them: wide receivers Laviska Shenault Jr. and Tony Brown, quarterback Steven Montez, and linebacker Davion Taylor. They will each get an opportunity to showcase their skills in front of representatives from all 32 NFL teams in Indianapolis later this month.

Shenault Jr. and Brown were among 55 different wide receivers invited. The 6’2, 220-pound Shenault, who declared after his junior season, is projected by many to be a mid-to-late first round or early second round pick in April’s NFL Draft. The Buffaloes haven’t had a player selected in the first round since 2011, when tackle Nate Solder was selected 17th overall by the New England Patriots and defensive back Jimmy Smith was taken with the 27th pick by the Baltimore Ravens.

Despite a stellar senior season, the 6’1, 195-pound Brown isn’t projected among the top receivers in the 2020 class, however a great combine performance could rocket the La Mirada, Calif. native up draft boards. He’s a great team player and does all the little things at receiver, so he would be a smart pickup in the later rounds.

Montez was one of 17 different quarterbacks to receive a combine invite. The Buffaloes haven’t had a quarterback selected in the draft since 1997, when the Philadelphia Eagles took Koy Detmer in the seventh round. Montez was 17-22 in 39 career starts with the Buffaloes, and set school records in passing yards (9,649), yards of total offense (10,609) and passing touchdowns (63). He’s projected to be a late round pick in April.

A junior college transfer out of Coahoma CC (Clarksdale, Miss.), Taylor played in 23 career games with 19 starts during his time in Boulder. When everything finally clicked for him midway through the 2019 season, he became a disruptive force with next-level athleticism. The 6’2, 225-pound linebacker was also a star on Colorado’s track team. He finished sixth in the 100-meter dash final at the 2018 Pac-12 Outdoor Championships. While projected to be a late round pick, Taylor certainly has the physical abilities to make a big splash in Indianapolis.

The 2020 NFL Scouting Combine will take place February 27-March 1. The NFL Network’s on-field workout schedule is as follows:

Thursday, February 27: QB, WR, TE

Friday, February 28: RB, OL, PK, ST

Saturday, February 29: DL, LB

Sunday, March 1: DB