Patriots Rookie Kayshon Boutte: Motivated 'More Than Ever' For What Role?
FOXBORO — New England Patriots rookie receiver Kayshon Boutte is no stranger to both success and adversity.
From wearing the prestigious No. 7 at LSU, laundry typically reserved for the program's top playmaker, to earning a lamentable 4.75 Relative Athletic Score at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, the 21-year-old has certainly seen his shares of highs and lows as they relate to the gridiron.
Though some may question his resolve, the Pats sixth-round (No. 187 overall) Draft selection is determined to prove the doubters wrong.
"I'm motivated more than ever now," Boutte told reporters shortly after his being drafted by New England. "I have to focus on myself ... put in the work every day to get back to where I want to be."
As a true freshman for the LSU Tigers in 2020, Boutte developed into one of the most promising receivers in the nation, compiling 735 yards on 45 catches with five touchdowns in 10 games. His standout performance came in a late-December contest against Ole Miss, in which he set a SEC record for receiving yards in a game with 14 receptions for 308 yards, adding three receiving touchdowns as well. Through five games in his sophomore season, Boutte had already eclipsed his previous year's touchdown total, while being well on his way to shattering his collegiate career-highs in receptions and receiving yards.
Unfortunately, Boutte suffered a season-ending broken ankle in 2021 while attempting to complete an acrobatic catch out of bounds in the Tigers Oct. 9 matchup with the Kentucky Wildcats. The injury caused him to miss the remaining seven games of the season; ending what had started as a promising campaign with 38 receptions for 509 yards and nine touchdowns.
Metaphorically speaking, it was not the sequel for which the New Iberia native had hoped.
Boutte subsequently sat out the spring while recovering from two surgeries to repair the injury. He finished his final season with LSU having caught only two touchdowns in 11 total games.
Despite a disappointing 2023 season in Baton Rouge, coupled with a dismal performance at the NFL Scouting Combine, Boutte found his way to New England as one of the Patriots sixth-round Draft selections. Though many believe the ex-Tiger has not been the same player since his 2021 ankle injury, Boutte appears to have put any medical setbacks firmly behind him. During a May appearance on the Locked On Patriots Podcast, AFC East Injury expert Dr. Kyle Trimble offered his thoughts on the receiver's injury history and why it is permissible for New England to be optimistic about the health of its rookie wideout.
“Other than the broken ankle, Boutte’s injury is pretty clean,” Trimble said. “He dealt with a hamstring strain in high school and a minor left ankle injury just prior to the ankle fracture. The fracture of the right ankle in itself is not of concern as he played all of 2022, not missing further time. I have minimal fear that the ankle complications will linger. There is a concern for arthritis, but reports did indicate that it was a clean break, potentially minimizing issues later.”
While he faces an uphill battle to earn a spot on the Pats' opening day roster, Boutte's athleticism makes him an intriguing player to watch during training camp. He is an explosive big-play threat when he is on his game. At 6-0, 195-pounds he possesses a sizable frame to make him tough to bring down after the catch. He also has an inherent speed to be elusive when changing direction. His ability to adjust his body to make contested catches could catch the eye of New England's coaches in the coming weeks.
For Boutte, all excuses -- including both health and questions surrounding his motivation -- are seemingly off the table.
"The injury was a setback for me," Boutte said. "But, I want everybody to know that I'm a hard worker," Boutte said. "I'm going to give 100% throughout everything. I feel like I've been doubted a lot. I feel like it's time for me to prove that I'm not that same person."
With camp set to open on July 26, Boutte will get the chance to do so in short order.
Follow Mike D’Abate on Twitter @mdabateNFL and Listen/Subscribe to his daily podcast: Locked On Patriots
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