JD PicKell: Kayshon Boutte has impressed Brian Kelly early in LSU camp
The LSU Tigers’ transition from Ed Orgeron to Brian Kelly at head coach has had a few hiccups along the way. Those almost led to the Tigers’ star wide receiver Kayshon Boutte hopping into the transfer portal this offseason. Fortunately, that wasn’t the case for LSU, as he remains on the roster. Boutte’s decision to stay has been sending positive vibes throughout the program. And with him back at practice, coach Kelly has been impressed by what he’s seen early in camp.
“Kayshon Boutte is practicing. He got the number 7 jersey,” said On3’s JD PicKell on a recent episode of The Hard Count. “It was his first time to rock it. He was hurt in the spring. Kayshon Boutte, it was somewhat well documented, he and Brian Kelly had a rift. If we’re reading between the lines, Brian Kelly made it sound like Kayshon Boutte still has some ways to go in terms of buying into what we’re doing here.
“So far, from the report from fall camp, the intel is Brian Kelly, and Kayshon Boutte are in a good place. And Brian Kelly was very complimentary of Kayshon Boutte. He said he practices really hard; he’s so committed and worked so hard. He’s still figuring out how to practice the way we want to practice, but he’s committed, and we’re really pleased with how he’s bought in.”
During his two seasons at LSU, Boutte has 83 receptions for 1,244 yards and 14 touchdowns. He’s already lived up to his five-star status coming out of high school, putting up monster numbers for the Tigers. But now, the goal will be putting up those stats in one season, truly emerging as the nation’s top wide receiver.
“To have your number one receiver, one of the best receivers in the country bought into what your head coach is doing, in the day and age of the portal, that’s a really good thing. That’s good momentum for LSU; good momentum for the offense.”
With Boutte back and practicing with the team, the next step is for him to put together a complete season. Last year he only played in six games after going down with a lower leg injury. If Boutte can stay healthy and consistent in 2022, he will be a strong candidate for the Biletnikoff Award at the end of the season.