Nixon eager to lead Buffs’ receiving corps
EDITOR’S NOTE: One in a series previewing CU football. Today, receivers.
Three years ago, KD Nixon and Laviska Shenault came to Boulder with visions of dominating together.
During the past two seasons with the Colorado Buffaloes, the duo from DeSoto, Texas 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.
This will be a much different wide receiving unit without Shenault and Tony Brown, who each had 56 catches to lead CU last season. Shenault was a second-round draft choice of the Jacksonville Jaguars, 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.
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. “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.
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.
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.
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. Look for more from him.
Shenault’s younger brother, Vontae, could be in line for a big year, too. He redshirted last year, but turned heads with his 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.