Laviska Shenault Jr. Bio
Laviska Terrell Shenault Jr. is an American professional football wide receiver and kickoff returner. Born on October 5, 1998, in Irving, Texas, he played college football for the Colorado Buffaloes before entering the National Football League. Shenault was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the 42nd overall pick and has since played for several professional teams. Across his career, he has contributed as both a pass catcher and a dynamic return man, logging 163 receptions for 1,587 yards and six receiving touchdowns in the NFL.
Early Life and Background
Laviska Terrell Shenault Jr. grew up in the Dallas–Fort Worth area of Texas and attended DeSoto High School in DeSoto, Texas. At DeSoto, he developed into a multipurpose athlete, lettering in football while also playing basketball as a freshman. He ultimately chose to quit the basketball team rather than cut his trademark dreadlocks, a decision that signaled how seriously he took his personal identity alongside his athletic pursuits.
As a senior at DeSoto High School, Shenault emerged as one of the more productive receivers in the region, finishing the year with 46 receptions for 825 yards and nine touchdowns. His senior production drew attention from college programs across the country, and he eventually committed to the University of Colorado Boulder to continue his football career at the collegiate level.
Path to American Football
Shenault’s route to a college football scholarship began at DeSoto, where his senior numbers put him on the radar of Pac-12 recruiters. Colorado offered him a chance to play as a freshman, and he joined the Buffaloes in 2017 as a multi-position athlete capable of lining up at receiver and contributing on special teams.
During his freshman season, he appeared in 12 games and recorded seven receptions for 168 yards, gaining valuable experience within the Buffaloes offense. The following year, he earned a starting role and quickly showed the physicality and playmaking ability that would later define his professional profile, including an 89-yard receiving touchdown in the season opener against Colorado State.
Laviska Shenault Jr. Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
At Colorado, Laviska Shenault Jr. blossomed into one of the most productive receivers in the Pac-12. After a developmental freshman year, he became a full-time starter as a sophomore in 2018 and was named First-team All-Pac-12 after leading the NCAA in receptions per game. He finished the season with 86 receptions for 1,011 yards and six touchdowns, adding 115 rushing yards and five rushing scores while missing three games with an injury.
His junior campaign in 2019 was cut short by a knee injury, but he returned to deliver several clutch performances, including a fourth-down conversion against Stanford that set up the game-winning field goal and a nine-reception, 172-yard game against USC. He closed his college career with 764 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 2019 before opting to declare for the 2020 NFL Draft.
Jacksonville Jaguars Breakthrough (2020–2021)
Selected with the 42nd overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Shenault joined a Jacksonville Jaguars roster in need of playmakers. He made an immediate impact, catching three passes for 37 yards and an 18-yard touchdown in the season opener against the Indianapolis Colts, a score that briefly tied the game. He finished his rookie year with 58 receptions for 600 yards, ranking sixth and seventh among all rookies in those categories during a difficult 1-15 campaign for the franchise.
In his second season with the Jaguars, Shenault remained a steady contributor, highlighted by a 110-scrimmage-yard performance in a Week 4 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. He closed 2021 with 63 receptions for 619 yards, finishing second on the team in receiving yards behind Marvin Jones.
Carolina Panthers Era (2022–2023)
On August 29, 2022, Shenault was traded to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for 2023 seventh-round and 2024 sixth-round picks. His Panthers debut offered an instant highlight, as he caught a 67-yard touchdown from quarterback Baker Mayfield in a Week 3 victory over the New Orleans Saints. He finished the 2022 season with 27 receptions for 272 yards and one touchdown.
Shenault entered 2023 listed fifth on the Panthers depth chart at receiver. His season was cut short in Week 12 by an ankle injury, and he was placed on injured reserve on November 30, 2023, ending his time in Carolina.
Seattle Seahawks Era (2024)
Shenault signed with the Seattle Seahawks on April 2, 2024, and transitioned primarily into a kick-return role. Across 11 games, he recorded 459 return yards on 16 kickoff returns with one fumble, adding five receptions for 36 yards on offense. His signature moment came in Week 6 against the San Francisco 49ers, when he delivered a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
Later in the season, a kick return fumble against the New York Jets contributed to his release. On December 2, 2024, the Seahawks waived Shenault, ending his brief tenure in Seattle.
Los Angeles Chargers and Buffalo Bills Era (2024–2025)
On December 5, 2024, Shenault was signed to the Los Angeles Chargers practice squad. He was listed as active for one game but did not record any statistics, and he was released on January 7, 2025. On March 13, 2025, he signed with the Buffalo Bills, but was released on August 26, 2025, as part of the team’s final roster cuts.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Shenault’s signature moments, his 97-yard kickoff return touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers in 2024 stands out as the longest play of his NFL career. His 67-yard receiving touchdown from Baker Mayfield against the New Orleans Saints in 2022 marked a memorable Panthers debut, while his 86-reception sophomore season at Colorado earned him First-team All-Pac-12 honors and national recognition as one of the most productive receivers in college football.
Laviska Shenault Jr. Career Wins
Across his professional career, Laviska Shenault Jr. has contributed to multiple team victories through receiving touchdowns, key conversions, and explosive kick returns. His most celebrated individual wins include his first career NFL touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts in 2020, his long receiving score with the Panthers in 2022, and his kickoff return touchdown against the 49ers in 2024.
NFL Highlights
In the NFL, Shenault’s standout wins have come through timely contributions. His first NFL touchdown came in Week 1 of the 2020 season against the Indianapolis Colts, while his Panthers tenure produced a Week 3 win over the New Orleans Saints highlighted by a 67-yard Baker Mayfield touchdown. He also played a role in a Seahawks Week 6 win over the San Francisco 49ers with his 97-yard kickoff return touchdown.
Other Wins and Performances
In college, Shenault’s most memorable performance was his 2018 sophomore campaign, in which he led the nation in receptions per game and earned First-team All-Pac-12 recognition. He also delivered a game-winning 40-yard touchdown catch against Nebraska in September 2018, a play that helped define Colorado’s breakout season.
Laviska Shenault Jr. Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public details about Laviska Shenault Jr.’s immediate family are limited, and no verified information about his parents or siblings has been published.
Personal Life
Outside of football, Shenault is widely recognized for keeping his dreadlocks, a personal choice he made during his teenage years when he declined to cut them in order to continue playing basketball. No verified public information about a spouse, partner, or children is currently available.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a transitional period for Laviska Shenault Jr. after he signed with the Buffalo Bills on March 13, 2025, looking to earn a roster spot in a competitive receiver room. He participated in offseason work and training camp before being released on August 26, 2025, as part of the Bills’ final roster cuts.
After his release from Buffalo, Shenault continued to pursue opportunities in professional football. On January 14, 2026, he was selected by the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL), giving him a fresh platform to showcase his versatility as both a receiver and returner. He was later released by the Stallions on May 2, 2026.
Looking ahead, Shenault remains an experienced playmaker with a proven track record at both the collegiate and professional levels. His combination of physicality, return ability, and big-play potential continues to draw interest from teams searching for depth and explosiveness on offense and special teams.