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Saturday, September 9, 2017.
Folsom Field; Boulder, Colo.
Texas State vs. Colorado.
Late in the first quarter of a scoreless game, Buffaloes’ defensive back Isaiah Oliver fields a punt at his own 41-yard line. He returns it four yards before he’s met by a slew of Bobcats defenders. After eluding three tackles, the future second-round draft pick by the Atlanta Falcons coughs up the ball. Within an instant, a 6’1, 215-pound true freshman, wearing number eight, picks up the ball and sprints 55-yards for a touchdown. From the very first moment Laviska Shenault Jr. touched a ball, he’s had an impact for the Colorado Buffaloes.
WR Laviska Shenault (@Viska2live) is the 15th known player to score on their first collegiate touch. #GoBuffs #Pac12FB #TXSTvsCU pic.twitter.com/kadse3VcvT
— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@RunRalphieRun) September 9, 2017
Flash forward a year later and the DeSoto H.S. (DeSoto, Texas) product, now wearing jersey number two, is one of the best stories in college football. He’s even being mentioned in early Heisman Trophy conversations. After jaw-dropping performances against Colorado State and Nebraska, the sophomore leads the nation in receiving yards per game (194.0) and receptions per game (10.5). He also ranks third in receiving yards (388) behind Hawaii’s John Ursua and Colorado State’s Preston Williams, who each have one more game under their belt.
Here’s what the experts are saying about Colorado’s sophomore sensation:
Joel Klatt, Fox Sports college football analyst & former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback
CFB fans, get to know Laviska Shenault WR for @RunRalphieRun as he is leading the country with 10.5 receptions/game and 194 yards/game...Dude is a baller
— Joel Klatt (@joelklatt) September 10, 2018
Mike Pritchard, Former NFL & Colorado Buffaloes running back
His name is Laviska Shenault and he is a BEAST!!
— Mike Pritchard (@mipritchard) September 8, 2018
Stewart Mandel, Editor-in-chief of TheAthletic.com
Meanwhile, Colorado, holy smokes do they have a star in WR Laviska Shenault. 11 catches for 211 last week, 10 for 177 this week.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) September 8, 2018
Ian Wharton, Senior analyst @OptimumScouting
Laviska Shenault is a BEAST pic.twitter.com/OH8oeY5PuM
— Ian Wharton (@NFLFilmStudy) September 8, 2018
Dane Brugler, NFL Draft analyst for TheAthletic.com
Also, #Colorado WR Laviska Shenault is a cheat code. Only a true sophomore, but he has some special to him. Body control, twitchy reflexes, sticky hands.
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) September 10, 2018
Barton Simmons, CBSSports.com national CFB writer, 247Sports.com Director of Scouting
Is there a WR in the country better than Laviska Shenault through 2 weeks?
— Barton Simmons (@bartonsimmons) September 8, 2018
Laken Litman, Staff writer at Sports Illustrated
Laviska Shenault is fun to watch. Has 177 yards today, had 211 last week, including an 89-yard TD.
— Laken Litman (@LakenLitman) September 8, 2018
Ollie Connolly, Football Analyst/Writer for @GuardianUS / @TheScore / @FieldGulls
I don't want to be hyperbolic, but after re-watching the Colorado-Nebraska game, I've come to the conclusion that Laviska Shenault is the greatest person to ever play football.
— Ollie Connolly (@OllieConnolly) September 10, 2018
David Helman, Staff writer for DallasCowboys.com
Laviska Shenault. Write it down @TheDraftShow
— David Helman (@HelmanDC) September 8, 2018
Seen others that we missed? Add them in the comment section!