LSU declares WR Kayshon Boutte unavailable for Citrus Bowl vs Purdue

Just days before facing off against Purdue in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, LSU announced they will be without an important playmaker. Star wide receiver Kayshon Boutte will not be available for the Jan. 2 matchup and will not play against the Boilermakers.

“LSU wide receiver Kayshon Boutte is unavailable for the bowl game + will not play when the Tigers face Purdue on Monday in Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, head coach Brian Kelly said,” the statement read. “Kelly said Boutte is enrolled at LSU for the spring semester.”

Boutte had recently announced his intentions to return for the 2023 season, opting for another season in Baton Rouge in favor of the NFL Draft. With the wide receiver still enrolled, that plan still seems to be on track.

No specific reason was provided for Boutte not being available. He will likely finish second in receiving for LSU, having 538 yards and two touchdowns on 48 receptions. Expectations will be higher for Boutte heading into next year.

Malik Nabers, who was LSU’s leading receiver this season, is still on course to play. He finished with 854 yards and two touchdowns, being the favorite target for quarterback Jayden Daniels.

If the Tigers are going to take down a tough Big Ten opponent, they will have to do so without Boutte.

Relationship between Kayshon Boutte, Brian Kelly ‘evolving’

Boutte surprised most by coming back to school for another season. Viewed as one of the top guys in the SEC and a potential draft pick, Boutte decided the right decision was to run it back with Kelly one more time.

Kelly was asked about his relationship with Boutte, where he said things are still evolving. The goal between the two remains the same, wanting to win and becoming a champion. While they came close on the field this season, Boutte and Kelly are still working off the field.

“I would say it’s evolving,” Kelly said. “Everybody has evolved in this program. Kayshon is not different than anybody else. Everybody has worked really hard, trying to do the things necessary on a day-to-day basis to be a champion both on and off the field. And that’s the expectation that we have for all of our players, not just Kayshon.”

From a personal standpoint, Boutte put up 538 yards and two touchdowns on 48 receptions during the 2022 season. The NFL is still going to be there for the wide receiver on the other side but he’s still wanting to work in Baton Rouge.