Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, Odell Beckham Jr, Kayshon Boutte. These names all have something in common and it is not just the fact that they were or are an LSU wide receiver. The common denominator is they were all destined for greatness coming out of college. Chase and Jefferson are the latest to hit the NFL and storm ahead, now we could potentially see Boutte do exactly what they did.
Why Boutte?
The big picture of all of this is that LSU has really pumped out phenomenal wide receiver talent in the past decade. Jefferson has put up numbers such as surpassing 3000 yards in his first two seasons, being the first receiver to ever do so. Chase put up 1455 receiving yards in his rookie season with the Bengals, surpassing Jefferson’s record for most receiving yards in a single season by a rookie in the Super Bowl era.
So you may ask, why does Boutte belong in a category with these guys? Well the short answer is, the promise is there. Last year, was an unfortunate ending for the now junior wideout.
Sustaining a season-ending ankle injury in game six of the season versus Kentucky put Boutte a few steps back. At the time he was tied for the FBS lead in receiving touchdowns with nine total in only six games played, If a full season would have permitted for the 20-year-old, we could have seen him reach touchdown numbers such as the one Jefferson had put up in his final season with 18 touchdowns.
All Eyes on Him
There is definitely an enlightened sense of hope for Boutte in his return to Baton Rouge this season. Not only are fans happy to see him hit the field again, but so are the experts. Pro Football Network’s Ian Cummings even has Boutte ranked as the number one receiver heading into next years draft.
The magnificent route-runner is back on the field and is already training with new tandem partner, Lousiana-Lafayette transfer, Kyren Lacy.
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Will the injury effect his play?
For all we know as of now, he is rearing and ready to increase his draft stock even more. Boutte has had surgery on the ankle, is back on the field and has had almost a year to recover. Recurring injuries are definitely a cause for concern, but there has been no rush to get him back and that could be the beneficial aspect of this all. The injury is in the past and the future has some bigger ambitions for Boutte.
“There’s always room for improvement and greatness. Personally, my goals for this season, I would say 1,200 receiving yards, 18 touchdowns and the Biletnikoff,” said Boutte in an interview with PFF.
In Conclusion:
LSU should have a brighter outlook to this season. The return of Boutte, new additions such as Lacy and now Head Coach Brian Kelly. The Tigers finished dead last in the SEC East with a 3-5 conference record. After just winning a national championship back in 2020, the regression felt very real. Now Boutte and company look to defend their name with the new look Tigers in the 2022-23 season.
