CU Buffs position overview: Receivers

Three years ago, KD Nixon and Laviska Shenault came to Boulder with visions of dominating together and they’ve posted some big numbers.

During the past two seasons with the Colorado Buffaloes, the duo from DeSoto, Texas, has combined for 229 catches, 2,876 yards and 17 touchdowns.

It’s also been rare to see one on campus without the other.

That will change this year, however, with Shenault in the NFL and Nixon playing his senior season at CU.

Concerns over the spread of the coronavirus have created stay-at-home orders around the country and led to uncertainty about the fate of the 2020 football season, but CU continues to prepare and BuffZone is previewing each position group for the Buffs. In this installment, we look at the receivers.

This will be a much different unit without Shenault and Tony Brown, who each had 56 catches to lead CU last season. Shenault was a second round choice of the Jacksonville Jaguars last week, while Brown signed a free agent deal with the Cleveland Browns.

Nixon, meanwhile, is eager to fill their shoes and lead the Buffs’ receiving corps.

“Our No. 1 goal was always to be the best receivers in the nation, both of us,” Nixon said this winter of he and Shenault. “Also our goal was to take care of our family (by reaching the NFL). He’s at an advantage right now and he’s leading the way.”

They’ve shifted their goals a bit this year.

“He takes off in the NFL and I take off in college,” Nixon said. “I’d be the best receiver in college football, he’d be the best receiver in the NFL. That’s just our goals. We’re not slowing down just because we’re not together. No, let’s take it up another notch.”

Nixon, without question, wants to take his game up a notch. After a very good sophomore season in 2018 (52 catches for 636 yards), he didn’t produce as he had hoped last year. The 5-foot-8, 185-pound Nixon, who is the Buffs’  lone senior receiver this year, had just 35 catches for 465 yards in 2019. Only 170 of those yards came in the last eight games.

Last season was frustrating for Nixon, but he quickly added, “You have to stay focused because when the time is right, God will make it happen. So that’s why I just stay so positive and just keep a smile on my face.”

CU’s offseason coaching change might help to keep that smile on his face.

Head coach Mel Tucker bolted for Michigan State in February and took offensive coordinator Jay Johnson with him. Nixon never seemed to find a comfortable spot in Johnson’s offense.

CU hired Karl Dorrell as head coach and promoted Nixon’s position coach, Darrin Chiaverini, to offensive coordinator. It was Chiaverini calling plays two years ago when Nixon flourished.

With a head coach and coordinator who like to throw the ball, Nixon could be in line for a big season – and not just as a receiver. Over the past two years, CU utilized Shenault’s talent for a variety of roles, even as a short-yardage ball carrier. While Nixon is smaller than Shenault, Chiaverini sees great potential.

“He can play wildcat quarterback, he can play the slot, he can play running back, he can play outside,” Chiaverini said this winter. “He’s done all of that for us already in his career and I think we can do more of it with him.”

While Nixon has the potential for a breakout senior season, the Buffs are once again loaded at receiver, and the best of the bunch might be a junior who hasn’t had the ball in his hands much to this point.

Junior Daniel Arias is a big (6-foot-4, 205 pounds) and fast receiver whose career numbers are a modest four catches for 99 yards and two touchdowns. He could start producing those numbers on a weekly basis as a junior.

“He looks like an NFL receiver,” Chiaverini said last month. “The kid’s about to have a huge year.”

Shenault’s younger brother, Vontae, could be in line for a big year, too. He redshirted last year, but turned heads with his pass catching ability in practice.

In the slot, Dimitri Stanley has star potential, as well, after posting 29 catches a season ago. Juniors Maurice Bell and Jaylon Jackson also have exceptional ability and figure to push for playing time.

The true freshmen can’t be discounted, either. Chris Carpenter, Montana Lemonious-Craig, Keith Miller III and Brenden Rice all have the physical tools to step in and play.

It all starts with Nixon, though. In his final season at CU, he’s motivated to leave his mark and join his DeSoto brother in the NFL next year.

“He’s opening the door for so many guys, like me and Vontae,” Nixon said. “Hey, we’re right behind you. Let’s go; let’s get it.”

Here’s an initial look at the projected receivers for the 2020 season:

Position: Receivers

Seniors (2019 statistics): KD Nixon, 5-foot-8, 185 pounds (11 starts, 35 catches, 465 yards, 3 TD; 5 rushes, 19 yards; 1-for-1 passing, 38 yards, 1 TD).

Juniors: Daniel Arias, 6-4, 205 (3 catches, 62 yards, 1 TD); Maurice Bell, 6-0, 180 (2 catches, 6 yards); Jaylon  Jackson, 5-10, 180 (4 catches, 77 yards; 1 rush, 14 yards); Curtis Chiaverini, 6-1, 195 (walk-on); Nick Nazarian, 5-10, 175 (walk-on).

Sophomores: Dimitri Stanley, 5-11, 185 (8 starts, 29 catches, 312 yards, 2 TD; 4 rushes, 14 yards); Clayton Baca, 6-2, 190 (walk-on); Jake Groth, 6-4, 195 (walk-on); Alex Smith, 5-9, 185 (walk-on).

Redshirt freshmen: Vontae Shenault, 6-2, 190.

True freshmen: Chris Carpenter, 6-1, 160; Montana Lemonious-Craig, 6-2, 185; Keith Miller III, 6-5, 210; Brenden Rice, 6-3, 205; Justin Schafer, 6-1, 175 (walk-on).

Players lost: Tony Brown, 6-1, 195 (graduated; 8 starts, 56 catches, 707 yards, 5 TD; 6 catches, 33 yards, 1 TD); Braedin Huffman-Dixon, 6-2, 180 (transferred); Laviska Shenault, 6-2, 220 (early entry to NFL; 8 starts, 56 catches, 764 yards, 4 TD; 23 rushes, 161 yards, 2 TD).