ANTONIO SHOWS BIG-PLAY POTENTIAL
Throughout Colorado’s preseason camp, it became routine to see a No. 4 white jersey leaping over defensive backs to make catches.
Javon Antonio needed a little bit of a time to adjust to the altitude in Boulder, but once he did, he shined.
CU will open the 2023 football season on Saturday at TCU (10 a.m. MT, Fox), with Antonio being among the many intriguing play-makers on offense.
“He’s a presence,” offensive coordinator Sean Lewis said. “He’s a big body kid that can run. He’s got a ton of collegian experience, so there’s not a whole lot that fazes him. And again, it’s a matter of how fast can he uptake with what’s going on and then be able to apply that and use his physical gifts.”
At 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, Antonio is not only CU’S biggest wide receiver; he’s actually bigger than some of the Buffs’ tight ends.
Antonio also brings a determination to prove himself after finally landing an opportunity at a Power Five conference school.
“I’m very excited,” said Antonio, a transfer from Northwestern State in Natchitoches, La. “I felt this time was gonna come and it came. It’s like, what are you gonna do with it?”
Antonio, who grew up in Laplace, La., played two seasons at Hinds (Miss.) Community College, catching 22 passes in 2018 and 22 more in 2019. He then transferred to Northwestern State, where he quickly became a star.
During the pandemic-delayed 2020 FCS season, played in the spring of 2021, Antonio caught 31 passes for 521 yards and four touchdowns in only five games and was second-team All-southland Conference.
Antonio missed the fall 2021 season because of academic issues, but got on track academically and returned with a vengeance last fall. In 11 games with the Demons in 2022, he caught 64 passes for 684 yards and six touchdowns, earning second team all-conference honors again.
With one season of eligibility remaining, Antonio put his name in the transfer portal in April. Offers began rolling in from Boston College, BYU, Georgia Tech, Washington State and others. On May 1, he announced he had received an offer from CU and first-year head coach Deion Sanders.
“Before I got the offer, I was like, ‘What if Coach Prime comes for me? That would be crazy,’” Antonio said. “When he did, I knew I was coming. He’s a legend. He knows the game, he’s knows how to connect with you and stuff like that. He’s a great coach.”
CU had already loaded up on speedy receivers, but Antonio gave them a different dynamic with his size and speed. He’s enjoyed being in a room that includes Travis Hunter, Jimmy
Horn Jr., Xavier Weaver, Willie Gaines and more.
“All of us have different levels of talent,” Antonio said. “Everybody’s different. Everybody runs different routes, everybody runs different. … My talent is I’m a big body receiver. I
can jump and get the ball, use my body and attack the ball. Travis is more elusive; he can run routes better, he can separate and get space from the ball. Zay (Weaver), he’s just athletic craziness; he can do everything. Same with Jimmy; he gets open and his speed is crazy. So, all those play together, who’s gonna stop us?”
That’s a question CU opponents will have to figure
out, but Antonio’s main concern every day has been battling for his spot in the rotation. He admits there was an adjustment period coming to altitude, but once he got past that, he’s thrived in competition.
“Every day it’s a battle,” he said. “Every day the depth chart can change, so you have to keep producing every day. That’s what every
receiver is going to be doing, being productive.”
With 139 catches in his college career, Antonio has proven he can be productive. Now, he’s ready to prove himself in the FBS and at the Power Five level.
“My game hasn’t changed,” he said. “I still do what I need to do. I just need to focus more on it, but I think everything’s good.”