Resumes are built as you gain experience, put in work and develop your skills throughout your career. Each week we will feature athletes from around the country on The Platform. The Platform is here to “Expose The Unexposed”. We will spotlight players and give them the opportunity to have a platform to gain exposure. In this installment of “The Resume”, we focus on the wide receiver position.
Thibodeaux, La.- Paxton Lafont has the skill set that coaches are looking for in today’s wide receivers. The versatility to play out wide, line up in the slot, make catches in traffic or contested and be an asset to the running game, are traits that add value to the wide receiver position and Lafont has shown that he fits that mold. Here is a breakdown of his game.
Size: 6’3 190 Lbs.
Position: Wide Receiver
High School: E.D. White (Thibodeaux, Louisiana)
7v7: CM Naturals
Class: 2024
Recruitment /Camps
Lafont has been busy this summer on the camp circuit. He has camped at Southern Mississippi, TCU, Tulane, and The University of Louisiana. Paxton was chosen from a select group of wide receivers to run routes at the Manning Passing Academy, during the Air It Out portion of the annual camp, where the top quarterbacks from around the country in high school as well as college come to learn from Peyton and Eli Manning. Lafont has interest from several colleges that include Southern Mississippi, Nicholls State University and The University of Louisiana.
First Impression
At six foot-three, one hundred ninety pounds, Lafont has a long, lean build and a strong lower half. He has the body type that enables him to absorb contact, his arm length helps him to keep defenders away from his body at initial contact and Paxton possesses the speed to create separation. Lafont began to turn heads with CM Naturals 7v7 on the DR7 Tournament Circuit this spring. His body control, along with his large catch radius, compliments his explosive leaping ability that allows him to extend over defenders. Working the middle of the field with ease, using his vision to find weaknesses in the defense and showing the speed to get deep, are several attributes the Lafont displayed routinely. He tracks the football in flight well, he has vice grips for hands and wins on the 50/50 contested ball consistently. When it comes to beating opponents off the line of scrimmage, Lafont excels, using his quickness and his savvy route running to win at the point of attack. Paxton’s quick hands and his killer swim move to create space, are in his arsenal of moves. No matter what offensive alignment he was presented, he consistently got open and was a reliable target for his quarterbacks. During his fall 2021 season with E.D. White, Lafont definitely solidified the same skill set we saw in 7v7, but his blocking at the second level stood out and his physicality led his team to score several touchdowns in the run game. Paxton’s game is versatile and well rounded, which allows his natural instincts to take over.
Future Projection
As Lafont continues to refine his game and add to his toolbox, his profile will gain more followers from the college ranks. The southern Louisiana native will definitely push the needle to be in contention as a top wide out in that area. Paxton has the work ethic to go along with the athletic skill set to succeed at the next level. His strong hands, extended arm length, body control and speed put him in position to win his battles against his opponents. Already towering over most high school defensive backs standing at six foot-three, Lafont projects to mature into a six foot-five to six foot-six athlete. Once he arrives on a college campus and is exposed to a college strength program, he has the build to add bulk. Look for Paxton’s stock to continue to rise during his remaining two years at E.D. White. He’s developing the type of resume that will enhance his “Platform”.