You have to shine in the Shrine Bowl—consider it a pre-draft proving ground for under-the-radar talents looking to make an impression on NFL scouts. This Colorado Buffs #10, a standout wide receiver with a $316k NIL valuation and 6th all-time in catches, is a player who always shows up healthy. He creates effortless separation, leaving defenders in the dust with his explosive speed, sure hands, and dynamic return ability. But he was overlooked for way too long! And his name missing from early scouting conversations didn’t sit well with his advocate, Deion Sanders Jr., Coach Prime’s son. Did he finally get the call? Doesn’t matter—he’s already channeled the spirit of one of the greatest athletes of all time.

In what shouldn’t be shocking news for some, LaJohntay Wester, the Colorado Buffaloes’ electrifying wide receiver, had spent the past few seasons making defensive backs look foolish with his effortless separation and game-breaking speed. With a staggering 326 career receptions—good for sixth all-time in FBS history—Wester was a statistical monster. Yet his NFL draft stock had been bizarrely lukewarm. That is, until Deion Sanders Jr. put his foot down, publicly advocating for Wester and calling out the oversight. The campaign worked.

The NFL extended Wester a well-earned invitation to the 2025 Scouting Combine he announced on Monday. He kept these fresh Nike redesigned, Kobe Bryant’s most popular basketball shoes for the football field, for just this day.

Grateful for the opportunity, LaJohntay Wester took to Instagram today to share his moment, not just with words but with an unmistakable visual cue. On his story, the Buffs’ #10 posed at AT&T Stadium, feet laced up in the brand-new Nike Vapor Edge Kobe 6 SE “Grinch.” With a simple message, “THANK YOU GOD 🙏🏽.” The cleats were released on November 28, 2024. It was a fitting tribute from a player whose relentless work ethic mirrored that of the late basketball legend. As we speak, Sanders Jr. is down somewhere celebrating.

Of course, this moment of recognition didn’t happen by accident. Wester’s dominance at Shrine Bowl practices was impossible to ignore. ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid named him one of four standouts from the first two days, a testament to his elite route-running and ability to torch defenders in 1-on-1 matchups. Social media clips quickly went viral, showing him leaving defensive backs grasping air, reminding everyone why he was such a nightmare for secondaries throughout his collegiate career.

With 74 catches, 931 yards, and 10 touchdowns in his lone season at Colorado, he is second only to 2024 CFB MVP Travis Hunter at Boulder. After already making a name for himself at Florida Atlantic, Wester had nothing left to prove—except to the decision-makers at the next level.

With the Scouting Combine set to take place from Feb. 27 to March 5 in Indianapolis, Wester now has the ultimate stage to solidify his NFL future. He’ll have the chance to showcase his 40-yard dash time, his agility, and his hands—all of which were already on full display this season for HC Deion Sanders and this week too.

Deion Sanders Jr.’s push gets it done for LaJohntay Wester

Like father, like son—Deion Sanders Jr. isn’t one to stay quiet when he feels one of his guys is being disrespected. And this time, his target was none other than Roger Goodell’s NFL. On January 12, Sanders Jr. took to X with a direct callout, demanding answers from the league: “Where’s @la_wester Combine Invite @NFL?” His frustration? The apparent snub of Colorado’s star wideout, LaJohntay Wester, from the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine invite list.

Wester, a Florida native, became a key weapon for Shedeur Sanders at Colorado, forming an electric connection that helped fuel some of CU’s biggest moments in 2024. None were more memorable than his jaw-dropping, game-tying Hail Mary grab against Baylor in September—a play that instantly became one of the greatest highlights in recent Buffs history.

Now Wester is finally getting the respect he deserves. On Monday, the receiver announced that he had received his official invitation to the 2025 NFL Combine. Sanders Jr. must be grinning from ear to ear. He even hopped on X to repost a hype post about the Buffs wide receivers—Wester, Jimmy Horn Jr., and even two-way star Travis Hunter—all raising their draft stock. His simple message? “I believe it.” Looks like Wester and the crew have got their biggest cheerleader right there in Boulder.