There are plenty of top wide receivers returning in college football for the 2022 season. This group could be a very strong wide receiver corp that is highly drafted in 2023.
LSU will be led by junior wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, who returns for what could be his final season in Purple and Gold. The former Westgate standout burst onto the scene in his freshman year. Following the departures of tight end Arik Gilbert and wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr, it was time for No. 1 to step up to the plate. He didn’t disappoint in the final three games of 2020.
Heading into 2021, it was again time for Boutte to show what he was made of. He was the top touchdown producer in college football up until his foot injury that required season-ending surgery. With a new staff and the return of quarterback Myles Brennan, we hope to finally see a full year of Kayshon Boutte on display.
In two seasons, Boutte has hauled in 83 passes for 1,243 yards and 14 touchdowns. Most of that damage has come over the last nine games he appeared in. The final three games of 2020 and last season. In that stretch, he hauled in 65 receptions for 1,035 yards and 13 touchdowns. Much the reason why Pro Football Focus has him as the No. 3 returning wide receiver behind Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Pitt’s Jordan Addison.
What PFF Says…
Boutte played in just six games in his 2021 true sophomore season before suffering a season-ending injury. If fully healthy next fall, the former five-star recruit will give Jaxon Smith-Njigba a run for his money for the Biletnikoff Award in 2022. His acceleration and toughness have helped him to a 77.1 receiving grade during his time in Baton Rouge. He’s unafraid to make plays over the middle of the field and is showing continuous growth with his releases and route-running.
Boutte has been tasked with a significant amount of press coverage when on the outside, and he’s mostly come out on top on such reps. His 2.49 yards per route run and 134.3 passer rating when targeted against press since 2020 ranks sixth and second, respectively, among Power Five wide receivers in that span.
Boutte will lead the group of wide receivers that include Jack Bech, Malik Nabers, and Brian Thomas Jr. They also will deploy newcomer wide receiver from UL-Lafayette, Kyren Lacy. Lacy led the Ragin Cajuns in receiving this past year.
[listicle id=35396]
Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.
Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PatrickConnCFB
Comment below where you think Boutte should be ranked