Baltimore Ravens rookie LaJohntay Wester receiving one-on-one coaching from John Harbaugh
AI-assisted summary
Former Colorado wide receiver LaJohntay Wester, a sixth-round NFL draft pick by the Baltimore Ravens, is impressing coaches with his special-teams play.
Wester has been working closely with Ravens head coach John Harbaugh on improving his punt return skills during OTAs and minicamp.
While primarily drafted for special teams, Wester's performance and coaching interactions could lead to a larger offensive role.
Wester's impressive punt return statistics at Florida Atlantic earned him the AAC Special Teams Player of the Year in 2023.
While most eyes have been on former Colorado stars Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter through the NFL's offseason programs, a few Buffs have gone under the radar, including the speedy receiver LaJohntay Wester.
Wester was selected in the sixth round of the NFL draft and is expected to be an immediate playmaker on special teams, making his transition to the pros promising. With this combination of size and explosiveness, along with his toughness, Wester has been turning heads throughout OTAs and minicamp, even getting some one-on-one coaching from Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh.
Harbaugh was spotted giving some advice to Wester that should help tune his return skills. The two spoke during drills, with Harbaugh coaching Wester on ball-tracking skills and drills he can use to improve his technique. Wester went on to implement those drills, improving with each punt he caught.
In his lone season at Colorado, Wester had nine punt returns, with a 76-yard return against Utah, and averaged 12 yards per return. In his time with Florida Atlantic, however, he had carved out a role as a special teamer, returning 14 punts for 278 yards and one touchdown in 2023, earning him the American Athletic Conference Special Teams Player of the Year.
Though he is pegged as a special-teams contributor, his performance and rapport with Harbaugh could give him a broader role. Wester will still need to prove himself on Baltimore's special teams, especially as a sixth-round pick, to gain a larger role on the Ravens' offense. However, showing out during the offseason is a step in the right direction.
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With training camp around the corner, Wester has laid a strong foundation. While nothing is guaranteed, his willingness to learn and apply feedback from Harbaugh speaks volumes to his character.
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