It hasn't taken long for LaJohntay Wester to make noise in Baltimore.
Just a few months removed from a breakout season with the Colorado Buffaloes, the sixth-round pick has already earned distinction as one of the Ravens’ top 10 standouts through the first week of OTAs. The rookie wide receiver joins the likes of Lamar Jackson, Roquan Smith, and DeAndre Hopkins on that list—a rare early nod for a Day 3 draft selection.
For those of us who watched Wester closely in Boulder last fall, it’s hardly surprising.
Wester caught a long touchdown pass from Jackson in practice this week—a play that earned buzz not just for the score, but for the way he adjusted to a bobbled catch and held on through contact. He followed that up with a tough grab over the middle on a tipped pass from undrafted linebacker Jay Higgins, proving he’s not just a deep-ball threat but a receiver willing to go into traffic.
Already making his case in the league
At 5-foot-11 and 167 pounds, Wester doesn’t carry prototypical NFL size. What he does bring is elite route running, explosive quickness, and a resume that speaks louder than any measurables.
Wester finished the 2024 season with 74 receptions for 931 yards and 10 touchdowns—becoming one half of a historic duo alongside Travis Hunter, as the two became the first pair in Colorado history to each post double-digit receiving touchdowns in a season. He also added a 76-yard punt return touchdown against Utah and averaged over 12 yards per return on special teams.
Those numbers weren’t padded in garbage time. Wester made his mark in meaningful moments, including that unforgettable walk-off, game-tying touchdown against Baylor on a last-second Hail Mary that kept bowl hopes alive.
By the end of the season, he was wearing the Buffs coveted No. 1 jersey, a symbolic recognition of trust and leadership from Coach Prime.
His consistency is unmatched. Wester recorded a catch in 50 straight games dating back to his Florida Atlantic days, finishing his college career with 326 receptions—good for sixth all-time in FBS history.
NFL fit taking shape
While Baltimore’s receiving room is crowded, Wester is carving out a role that’s hard to ignore. The early reps with Jackson suggest the coaching staff is testing his ceiling, not just his floor.
And given his track record as a dynamic returner, he’s a strong candidate to contribute on special teams right away.
He’ll wear No. 83 with the Ravens—the same number he wore during his time at FAU, where he posted a 108-catch season in 2023 and was named the AAC’s Special Teams Player of the Year.
If Wester continues at this pace, he won’t just make the 53-man roster—he could emerge as one of the league’s biggest rookie steals. Baltimore has a history of unearthing late-round gems, and Wester fits the mold.
Buffs pipeline to the League
Wester is one of the legendary four Colorado receivers we won't forget, joining Travis Hunter, Jimmy Horn Jr., and Will Sheppard (recently released by Tampa Bay after a failed physical).
His early success is another example of the transformation taking place in Boulder under Coach Prime. NFL scouts are no longer overlooking CU—they’re circling back to double-check who they missed.
The league is starting to learn what we already knew: LaJohntay Wester isn’t just another name.
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