Keyonta Lanier commits to Colorado State

Colorado State has picked up a transfer commitment from wide receiver Keyonta Lanier.

The sophomore recently changed his Twitter bio to “route runner at Colorado State University” and as Kevin Lytle posted on Monday morning, Lanier posted a graphic announcing his commitment on Instagram.

A California native, Lanier was a three-star prospect coming out of Long Beach Poly High School in the 2021 cycle. According to 247Sports, Lanier received offers from Arizona State and UNLV but ultimately signed with the University of New Mexico. 

As a freshman with the Lobos in 2021, Lanier played in nine total games and made two starts in the process. The 6-foot-1, 160-pound receiver recorded five receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown in those games. 

Lanier’s best game at the collegiate level was the 2021 opener against Houston Baptist, when he hauled in a 47-yard touchdown reception and finished with a career-best 72 receiving yards on three catches. He added a pair of grabs for 15 yards in UNM’s annual rivalry game against New Mexico State as well. 

Lanier did not play in 2022, so he should have three years of eligibility remaining. While he has not played a ton of football in his young career, looking at his senior highlights on Hudl, it’s clear that he has the potential to be a playmaker.

In the first couple of clips alone we see Lanier bring in a one-handed catch, display elusiveness in the open field, and then he makes a congested grab deep down the sideline — all of which are valuable skills in the Air Raid offense. 

The versatile receiver recorded 47 catches for 744 yards and 15 touchdowns in his prep career. He also rushed for close to 100 yards and a couple of touchdowns. Finally, according to his UNM bio, Lanier even saw some action at quarterback and went 19-of-29 for 146 yards and a touchdown.