Arizona WR Montana Lemonious-Craig is Ready to Make Jump from Big 12 to NFL
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Beyond the size and athleticism, Montana Lemonious-Craig has something else going for him as the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, a whole lot of experience. From a redshirt freshman 2020 season with Colorado to his senior year with Arizona, Lemonious-Craig (6-2, 185) has made the field under five different offensive coordinators, two different head coaches, and one interim head coach.
A locker room guy who understands offenses with experience against Pac-12 and Big 12 defenses, Lemonious-Craig is ready to prove himself in the NFL.
The first offensive coordinators for Lemonious-Craig at Colorado was Darrin Chiaverini followed by Mike Sanford Jr. and then Clay Patterson.
“We were more so a lot of Spread with mix of Pro Style, and the run and gun,” Lemonious-Craig said. “We ran what Tennessee ran with (WR) Jalin Hyatt. We never got to run that in game in three years. Shawn Lewis, the head coach at San Diego State, in the spring he ran it with Deion (Sanders) and them.”
The role as a receiver with the Buffaloes was detailed.
“I was utilized as an outside receiver; a 50-50 guy,” Lemonious-Craig explained. “They tried to get me the ball in one-on-one matchups, be a playmaker, and get open.”
Heading to Arizona for the 2023 schedule, Lemonious-Craig played under head coach Jedd Fisch with Brennan Carroll running the offense then Dino Babers in 2024.
“We were ran a lot of NFL style offense,” Lemonious-Craig shared. “We mirrored the (LA) Rams a lot with our playbook. Our head coach was Jed Fisch; our offense was very similar to an NFL offense with routes and concepts. I played slot and on the outside at Arizona.”
Lemonious-Craig continued, “We ran basic quick game; I was more so a zone and man beater. It was dependent on the corner. I was running quick outs, double slants, and things to beat zones. We ran everything.”
There is a key trait that separates Lemonious-Craig from the rest.
“What separates me is my willingness to go block,” Lemonious-Craig stated. “A lot of receivers want to run and catch, and a lot can do that. But going to block for another guy, other receivers and my running backs, I am willing to do it.”
A chance to show out before the draft, preparations have been ongoing all offseason for the Pro Day.
“I have been training in Orange County (CA) with (Les) Spellman Performance,” Lemonious-Craig said. “It has been coming along well. I started in January, and I have been consistent. I am excited for my Pro Day coming up soon.”
With scouts from all over the NFL watching, goals have been set.
“I want to showcase my ability to run, my ability to run routes smoothly, how well I catch the ball, and my athleticism,” Lemonious-Craig shared.
To help with his Pro Day, Lemonious-Craig made the trip to Indianapolis for the NFL Combine.
“The experience was different,” Lemonious-Craig explained. “I didn’t have a combine invite. My trainers, Les Spellman and his team, told me to come out, train, be in that environment, and to be in that mix. I was still training while in Indianapolis; I wanted to be on track for what I am doing.
“Going to the combine was an opportunity to see what the combine is like. It was great overall. I talked to (NFL) scouts, had conversations, and I got work in all week as well.”
Asked how the experience at the combine will help him with his Pro Day, Lemonious-Craig replied, “That will help me because I got a dose of what the energy is like from a combine perspective and the pressure. It will help me stay with my trainer an extra week getting that training in.”
For those high school and college players following in the same footsteps, Lemonious-Craig has a message: “The advice I would give, everyone has a different path. Do what you believe is best, listen to those guiding you the right way. Put your best foot forward on and off the field.”
The Big 12 is holding a multi-school Pro Day March 18-21 at The Star in Frisco (Texas).
Jan. 24, 2020: Lion’s All-Star Game Interview with 3-Star 2020 Colorado WR Signee Montana Lemonious-Craig
Feb. 2, 2019: Update Interview with Fast-Rising 2020 California WR/FS Montana Lemonious-Craig
Photo credit: RNG/Ryan Wright
Photo credit: University of Colorado
Photo credit: University of Arizona