The Jacksonville Jaguars got positive reviews for their 2020 draft class. At the time, it looked like they found three foundational pieces in cornerback C.J. Henderson, wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr., and edge rusher K'Lavon Chaisson. In the end, though, the three failed to make an impact in Duval.
While Chaisson has enjoyed a career revival and has seen his stock soar after signing with the Washington Commanders, Henderson and Shenault have been out of the NFL. In fact, both of them have spiraled so badly that even the latter couldn't crack the UFL.
The Birmingham Stallions just cut former Jaguars WR Laviska Shenault Jr.
After joining the Birmingham Stallions in February, Laviska Shenault Jr. had his contract terminated in early May via the waiver system. He originally signed with them in February, but injuries held him back, and his bid to make an impact in the UFL has come to an abrupt halt.
ladies and gentlemen, Laviska Shenault Jr. pic.twitter.com/XjgtKBY8Hr
— Birmingham Stallions (@UFLStallions) February 20, 2026
Shenault ended up suiting up for four games with the Stallions, reeling in just one reception for seven yards. That simply wasn't going to cut it, which is why it's not surprising to see Birmingham cut ties with the DeSoto, Texas native.
A second-round pick by the Jags in 2020, Shenault showed promise as a rookie, catching 58 passes for 600 yards with five touchdowns. As a sophomore, it felt like he was ready to break out when he went off against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4, registering 99 yards on six catches. However, it would be all downhill from there. In fact, that would end up being Viska's best game in Jacksonville. He didn't make an impact the rest of the 2021 campaign.
Then, a new regime came in, and Shenault's seat quickly became scorching hot. By the end of training camp, the Jags had seen enough and shipped him to the Carolina Panthers in return for a Day 3 pick.
Shenault spent two unremarkable seasons in Carolina and signed with the Seattle Seahawks in 2024. He once again failed to make an impact and bolted for the Buffalo Bills in 2025. This time, though, the former Colorado Buffalo wasn't able to make the roster. This is why his decision to give the UFL a shot didn't seem far-fetched. But now that he's been kicked to the curb, it's hard to tell if he can keep his football career going.
It seemed like Laviska Shenaul was poised to be a mainstay with the Jaguars
The Jaguars didn't have much going for them in 2020. That may be why watching Laviska Shenault make plays stood out. That year, he showed a penchant for breaking tackles. The expectation was that he was going to keep making strides in Year 1, but he instead regressed.
From an outside perspective, it's hard to tell just what held Shenault back, but injuries may have played a role, as his physical style exposed him to getting trucked on a consistent basis.
But regardless of the reason, it's fair to assume that it was disappointing to watch Laviska Shenaul fail to live up to expectations after an intriguing rookie campaign with the Jaguars. And based on his recent stint with Stallions, it's hard to see him back in the NFL anytime soon.
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