One LSU Tigers wide receiver touted as a breakout star in 2021

LSU Tigers WR Kayshon Boutte could be in for a huge season in 2021.

Over the last several seasons, the LSU Tigers have been rich at the wide receiver position. This past NFL draft, the team saw Ja’Marr Chase be selected in the top 10 to join former teammate Joe Burrow in Cincinnati. Since 2017, the Tigers have produced seven wide receivers to be selected. Last year the Minnesota Vikings selected Justin Jefferson and it paid off immediately. He was named to the Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro for his 1,400-yard campaign.

Given the amount of talent leaving for the pro level, the team has to replace that production. No Chase this year or even Terrace Marshall Jr, who was taken by the Carolina Panthers in the second round. Which wideout will step up to the challenge in 2021 to help lead the Tigers offense?

According to ESPN’s Alex Scarborough, the breakout star candidate for the LSU Tigers is wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (subscription required).

It’s understandable if you missed Kayshon Boutte’s late arrival last season. LSU was struggling to get to .500 at the time the former four-star prospect really started to show what he was capable of. Without Ja’Marr Chase and Terrace Marshall, Boutte emerged as the Tigers’ go-to playmaker on offense — a true burner and downfield threat. If he can do even half as well as he did in the final three games last season, when he had a combined 527 yards and four touchdowns against Alabama, Florida and Ole Miss, then he could find himself in the conversation for the top receivers in college football.

The Tigers might have seen Marshall score the most touchdowns and have the most receptions on the team, but it was Boutte that stood out. He racked up more yards than Marshall on a per-catch basis. Not to mention, Boutte also led the team in receiving yards. It appears he will be ready to roll as the top pass catcher for the Tigers. Especially with the No. 3 receiver on the team Arik Gilbert heading back home to play for Georgia.

It will be important for him to get off to a fast start in 2021 to help out a run game that was mildly inconsistent in 2020.