LaJohntay Wester, WR, Colorado
Size:
Height: 5095
Weight: 163
Arm: 29 ¾”
Hand: 8 ⅝”
Accomplishments:
First-Team All-AAC (2023) • FAU's all-time receptions leader • Honorable Mention C-USA for both wide receiver and punter (2022) •
“LaJohntay Wester is a quick-twitch slot WR prospect who creates natural, quick, and easy separation to be a QB’s favorite safety valve in the passing game.”
Strengths:
Ability to accelerate and decelerate instantly
Detailed, nuanced route-runner
Sudden movements to change directions
Versatility in role
Value as special teams returner
Concerns:
Limited catch radius to win 50/50 jump balls
Small, undersized stature
Facing physical press coverage
Film Analysis:
LaJohntay Wester started his career at FAU before transferring to Colorado for the 2024 season. Wester’s career at FAU was impressive, and he left as the program’s all-time receptions leader. At Colorado, he seamlessly transitioned, bringing his electrifying traits from FAU to his new team. Wester is an explosive player, capable of scoring from anywhere on the field, whether it’s a 60-yard deep shot or a quick screen pass where he uses his quickness and explosiveness to make defenders miss and score a touchdown.
Wester primarily lines up in the slot, where he is difficult to cover. He is a quick-twitch mover who changes directions with ease. With a two-way go, he challenges defenders to stick with his route-running. Wester is a nuanced route runner who uses his body to sell routes through head fakes, shoulder turns, and leaning to give false signals to the DB. He excels at altering his route tempo and speed to keep defenders off balance. He shows impressive quickness at the top of his routes and out of his breaks.
Wester is effective in the short and intermediate areas of the field with route options like slants, shallow crossers, digs, and skinny posts. This versatility allows him to excel with double moves. He is a strong, manipulative route runner, making all his routes look the same. He is a natural separator and a reliable quick-passing target for the quarterback.
After the catch, Wester is solid, with the potential for even more production. His quickness and suddenness force defenders to miss tackles. He is a slippery ball-carrier, using moves like the dead leg to evade defenders in the open field. He is a strong option against zone defense, thanks to his understanding of leverage and soft spots within the coverage. Wester plays with the toughness needed to navigate the middle of the field in high-traffic areas and has shown the ability to come down with more contested catches than expected for his size.
Physical, press defenders with length can pose challenges for Wester. While he rarely faces bump-and-run coverage, he can be disrupted by it. His ability to fight through contact early in his routes—using his size and strength—will be key to determining whether he can win the route. Another drawback of his small stature is his limited catch radius. He is not an ideal candidate for 50/50 jump balls down the field. Although he is competitive as a blocker in the run game, sustaining blocks is not one of his strengths. He is not an effective play-side run blocker on the perimeter. Additionally, Wester has concentration drops on tape that will need to be cleaned up.
Wester projects as a playmaking, chain-moving slot receiver with special teams value as a punt returner. His ability to make defenders miss in space can flip field possession for his offense. An offense that prioritizes pre-snap jet/orbit motions, screens, and frees him from the line for a quick release is the best fit for his skill set.
Prospect Projection: Day 2 — Adequate Starter
Exposures: Baylor (2024), Arizona (2024), Kansas (2024), Oklahoma State (2024), UAB (2023), Clemson (2023), Illinois (2023), Charlotte (2023)
