Although former LSU head coach Ed Orgeron will not be coaching the Tigers this year, he did coach the team in 2021 and knows exactly which players he expects big things out of in 2022. During an interview with McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning, Orgeron identified two potential first-round picks.
“I think that (wide receiver) Kayshon (Boutte) and (defensive lineman) Maason Smith are two possible first-round draft choices,” Orgeron said. “Those guys are leaders, they’re great-character young men and I expect them to lead the team. Watch out for (quarterback) Garrett Nussmeier. He’s a great quarterback, great young quarterback.
He’s kind of — I’m not going to compare him to the quarterback you’re seeing right now, but he’s a style of quarterback that can move, that can make plays. The two young running backs — I think those two young running backs are going to be outstanding football players. And I wish ’em all the best.”
In six games as a sophomore, Boutte hauled in 38 receptions for 508 yards and nine touchdowns. His nine touchdowns were tied for the FBS lead through six games, but a leg injury forced him to miss the rest of the season. Prior to LSU, Boutte was a 247Sports Composite five-star recruit out of New Iberia (La.) Westgate. He was also the No. 24 ranked overall recruit and the No. 2 ranked wide receiver in the recruiting class of 2020.
