DENVER, CO - AUGUST 31: Wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. #2 of the Colorado Buffaloes at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 31, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Joe Mahoney/Getty Images)

The Buffaloes sophomore receiver is an early season front-runner for the Biletnikoff Award.

The 2018 Colorado Buffaloes were not expected to do much this season, but a 3-0 start as well as some incredible performances by their student-athletes are beginning to garner national recognition.

Laviska Shenault Jr. is at the top of that list.

The sophomore receiver currently leads the country in receptions per game with 8.7, and receiving yards per game with 151.7.

In three games (technically 2.5 because he didn’t play in the second half against New Hampshire), Shenault has racked up 26 receptions for 455 yards and four total touchdowns. He is averaging over 17 yards per catch and is one of the more dangerous YAC players in the Pac-12.

He has developed into a player that must be game-planned against by opposing coaches.

The national media has taken notice as they have added Shenault to the Biletnikoff Watch List–an award that goes to the nation’s best receiver at the end of the year.

The addition of Shenault should come as no surprise due to the numbers he’s putting up on a weekly basis–but if you haven’t followed the Buffs program, Shenault seemingly came out of nowhere.

As a freshman, he saw limited action in seven games, tallying seven receptions for 168 yards and no scores.

The Buffs lost Shay Fields, Bryce Bobo and Devin Ross to graduation this offseason so there was an opportunity for the younger receivers to step up. Shenault did just that. He is the go-to-guy for quarterback Steven Montez and if the Buffs are to continue their winning ways, Laviska will be a big part of that.

Since the award was created and handed out in 1994, no Buffs receiver has ever taken home the trophy.

My bet is that changes this year.

Colorado will look to go 4-0 for the first time since 1998 when they host UCLA on Friday night. I previewed and predicted the contest here.