LaJohntay Wester WR Colorado | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
LaJohntay Wester WR Colorado
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Slot Receiver | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 02/15/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.38 seconds (88%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Slot Receiver | |
| Last Updated: 02/15/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.38 seconds (88%*) | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 82.0 / 100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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79% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 114.4 | |
| Hands: |
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84% |
| Short Receiving: |
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90% |
| Intermediate Routes: |
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92% |
| Deep Threat: |
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92% |
| Blocking: |
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54% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
7th
Overall Rank:
#222
Position rank:
#31
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| College Games: 57 College Snaps: 2969 | ||
Draft Profile: Bio
The journey from Palmetto High School in Florida to potential NFL draft pick has been anything but conventional for LaJohntay Wester. A versatile weapon who originally made his mark as both a quarterback and receiver in high school, Wester's evolution into one of college football's most productive slot receivers is a testament to his dedication to mastering his craft. His high school career foreshadowed his future success, where he not only caught 35 passes for 758 yards and eight touchdowns but also demonstrated his game-breaking ability with seven return scores.At Florida Atlantic, Wester transformed from a promising freshman into a record-setting receiver. Over four seasons with the Owls, he amassed 252 receptions, 2,703 receiving yards, and 21 touchdowns, earning First Team All-AAC honors and recognition as the conference's Special Teams Player of the Year. His breakthrough 2023 campaign saw him rack up 108 receptions for 1,168 yards, showcasing his ability to produce against any level of competition – including a memorable 12-catch performance against Clemson.
The decision to transfer to Colorado for his final season proved to be a masterstroke. Despite stepping into a completely new offense, Wester didn't miss a beat, posting 74 receptions for 931 yards and 10 touchdowns while starting 12 games. He continued his streak of consecutive games with a reception, pushing it to 50 straight contests, and finished his collegiate career with 326 receptions – the sixth-highest total in FBS history. His dynamic play in the return game remained a constant threat, highlighted by a 76-yard punt return touchdown against Utah.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Exceptional short-area quickness allows him to create instant separation off the line, particularly devastating on option routes where he can read and react to leverage.
- Changes speeds masterfully within his routes, showing veteran savvy to lull defenders before exploding out of breaks with sudden acceleration.
- Natural hands catcher who tracks the ball exceptionally well over his shoulder, particularly impressive on seam routes where timing is crucial.
- Demonstrates advanced understanding of zone coverage, consistently finding and settling into soft spots while maintaining quarterback sight lines.
- Elite stop-start ability makes him a nightmare to tackle in space, consistently forcing missed tackles with sharp cuts and decisive movements.
- Shows surprising toughness over the middle for his size, willing to take hits to secure catches in traffic with impressive body control.
- Dangerous return man who combines vision with explosive acceleration, consistently setting up blocks and finding creases in coverage units.
- Routes show polish and precision rarely seen in college prospects, particularly effective at selling double moves with consistent tempo.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Significantly undersized frame at 167 pounds raises durability concerns at the next level, particularly against more physical NFL defensive backs.
- Struggles to defeat press coverage when aligned outside, lacking the play strength to consistently fight through contact at the line.
- Limited catch radius restricts his ability to adjust to off-target throws, particularly on passes outside his frame or above his head.
- Shows inconsistent focus at times, with concentration drops appearing on tape when anticipating contact or trying to transition upfield too quickly.
- Run blocking effectiveness is limited by his size, often getting overwhelmed by larger defensive backs when trying to sustain blocks on the perimeter.
Scouting Report: Summary
Despite his diminutive stature, Wester projects as an immediate contributor as a slot receiver and punt returner at the next level. His combination of precise route running, natural hands, and explosive quickness should translate well to offenses that emphasize quick-game concepts and utilize pre-snap motion to create favorable matchups. Teams running spread concepts that prioritize getting the ball out quickly will find particular value in his ability to create instant separation and make defenders miss in space.The comparison to Calvin Austin III feels apt (although he isn't quite as fast), as both players maximize their explosive traits despite size limitations. Wester's advanced route-running acumen and proven production against high-level competition suggest he could outperform his eventual draft position. While he'll need to be protected from certain matchups, his ability to stress defenses from the slot and impact the return game gives him a clear path to early playing time.
His ideal landing spot would be with a team that heavily employs 11 personnel and can utilize his quickness on option routes and RPO concepts. While his frame may limit his ceiling, Wester has the tools to develop into a reliable chain-mover and dangerous third-down weapon at the next level. Look for him to make an immediate impact in the return game while developing into a valuable slot receiver who can stress defenses both horizontally and vertically.
How other scouting services rate LaJohntay Wester (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
237.3
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
36.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.