Kayshon Boutte DRAFT PROFILE – 2023 NFL DRAFT

Kayshon Boutte NFL DRAFT SCOUTING REPORT INTRODUCTION

Kayshon Boutte, a standout wide receiver from Westgate High School, was a 5-star recruit. After high school, Boutte decided to join LSU.

Boutte quickly made an impact on the field during his freshman year in 2020. He appeared in 10 games for the Tigers and put up impressive numbers, catching 45 passes for 735 yards, averaging 16.3 yards per reception, and scoring 5 touchdowns. When targeted by the quarterback, he boasted an impressive QB rating of 108.2.

Boutte’s defining moment came in the season-finale against Ole Miss, where he shattered the Southeastern Conference (SEC) record for receiving yards in a game with 308 yards and 3 touchdowns on 14 receptions. His remarkable performance earned him a place on the All-SEC Freshman team, cementing his status as one of the most promising young players in college football.

In his sophomore year, Boutte continued to demonstrate his prowess on the field, appearing in 6 games and racking up 37 catches for 503 yards. He averaged 13.6 yards per catch and scored an impressive 9 touchdowns. His QB rating when targeted soared to 145.3, highlighting his exceptional chemistry with the LSU quarterback.

In his junior year in 2022, Boutte faced tougher competition but still managed to shine. Despite playing in only 11 games, he caught an impressive 48 passes for 538 yards, averaging 11.2 yards per catch. Although his touchdown count dropped to 2, he still maintained a respectable QB rating of 91.0 when targeted.

Boutte’s statistics demonstrate his exceptional talent as a wide receiver, as well as his consistency in performance over the years. His ability to create separation from defenders and make tough catches has helped him establish himself as one of the most reliable offensive weapons for LSU. As he continues to develop and refine his skills, there is no doubt that he will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the world of college football.

Kayshon Boutte DRAFT PROFILE

Kayshon Boutte’s outstanding ability as a receiver has made him one of the most exciting players in college football. His most notable trait is his exceptional run-after-the-catch ability, which has seen him excel in a variety of positions on the field. Whether lined up as an outside receiver to catch a quick screen or in the slot to get free releases, or even sent in motion to receive a jet sweep handoff, Boutte’s versatility has made him a dangerous weapon for LSU. Once he has the ball in his hands, he has the ability to elude defenders, run through arm tackles with his natural lower-body strength, or simply outrun defenders with his speed. His exceptional agility and quickness turn even a short pass into an explosive play, making him a potent weapon for any offense.

Boutte’s speed is another of his standout traits. When lined up on the outside, he can run past defensive backs and become an instant vertical threat, providing opportunities to stretch the field. Additionally, his speed earns him a lot of off-coverage, allowing him to run a simple drag route and utilize his run-after-catch ability to turn a simple play into a big gain for the offense. Boutte’s speed also makes him a threat on quick routes, where he can snap off routes such as curls, hitches, and comebacks quickly to make himself available to the quarterback.

 

Kayshon Boutte 40 YARD DASH- 4.37 SECONDS

 

SCOUTING REPORT- STRENGTHS

Kayshon Boutte is a dynamic and versatile wide receiver, possessing a variety of traits that make him an exciting player to watch. He has dependable hands, smoothly accepting most throws and remaining ready to make a play afterward. Even in traffic, Boutte is a fearless receiver who is willing to go up over taller defenders with both verticality and toughness.

In addition to his great hands, Boutte is a superb athlete who combines speed, balance, quickness, vision, and crisp cuts to leave defensive backs and linebackers in the dust. His elite speed and cutting ability make him a big-play threat on every snap. As a legitimate vertical threat, Boutte does a fantastic job locating and tracking deep passes. He is willing to go up and attack the ball, and he can contort his body quickly to catch off-target throws.

Boutte is a fluid athlete with an explosive burst and speed, allowing him to stretch the field and breeze past defenders. With a quick first step, he gets to top speed in a hurry. His stats are particularly impressive, as he made 503 yards in just six games during the 2021 season. Boutte moves well laterally, exhibiting quick twitchy movements with rare suddenness that forces defensive backs to maintain a big cushion.

As a savvy and natural pass-catcher, Boutte has reliable hands and excellent focus. He snatches the ball out of the air with ease and shows great concentration when making acrobatic catches look easy. He also flashes the foot quickness and toughness necessary to handle slot duties at the next level, lining up all over the field to create mismatches with defenders.

Perhaps the most exciting aspect of Boutte’s game is his ability to make plays happen after the catch. He is a dangerous receiver with the ball in his hands, capable of turning short passes into big gains. His impressive run-after-catch ability is due to his natural instincts, agility, and elusiveness on the field.

SCOUTING REPORT- Weaknesses

Boutte’s continued improvement as a player will be centered around the details of playing the receiver position. For example, when lined up as an outside receiver, he needs to work on speeding up his cadence and foot-fire in his release, as he often releases too slowly, allowing defensive backs to get hands on him and alter his route stem.

Boutte also needs to work on his catch radius, particularly in closely contested situations, where he struggles to come down with the football when defenders are contesting the catch. To be a more reliable receiver in tightly-contested situations,

Boutte will need to work on extending away from his frame and catching the football. Additionally, Boutte has some issues with focus drops, where he loses focus of the football when he is open on an underneath route, preparing to run with the ball before actually securing the pass, which leads to dropped passes. These are all areas that Boutte has the ability to improve, and with focus and continuous effort, he will undoubtedly overcome them.

Kayshon Boutte DRAFT SUMMARY

Boutte’s traits make him an excellent candidate to be a vertical threat and a reliable run-after-catch option in the NFL. However, to reach his full potential as a receiver prospect and become a true No. 1 in the NFL, he will need to focus on the finer details of playing the position and execute consistently. With continued hard work and determination, there is no doubt that Boutte has what it takes to be a top player in the NFL.

Plus Side:

• Speed makes him a YAC monster
• Explosive first step
• Quick burst and solid hands

Negatives:

• Needs route running refinement
• Struggled with focus drops sometimes, running before securing the ball
• Limited catch radius