Thought this was a fun article and worth a read.
Kayshon Boutte was once thought to be a potential Top 10 pick.
When the wide receiver from LSU was
finally taken by the Patriots in the sixth round of last month’s
NFL Draft, Ryan Antoine’s reaction was simple.
“He’s the steal of the draft,” the Westgate High School football coach said.
“He can just go play football and be in an organization of true structure and great stability. I think that will be amazing for him. He couldn’t ask for a better place to go to. Now he just has to show everybody what everybody around here already knows.”
Antoine has been watching Boutte score touchdowns since peewee ball in in New Iberia, Louisiana. When it came time to decide on a high school, Antoine convinced him to attend Westgate, and Boutte grew into a highly-touted recruit under his watch. As a freshman, Antoine tried to ease him in, but a month into the season had Boutte already forced his way into the varsity lineup.
“The biggest thing was just his competitiveness,” Antoine said. Boutte played everywhere at Westgate — wildcat quarterback, running back, inside receiver, outside receiver, kick returner etc. — and Antoine found creative ways to motivate him. One, in particular, came against Captain Shreve during his sophomore year.
“I took his phone from him,” Antoine recalled.
“I said, ‘Hey you’re not getting your phone unless you have a breakout game.’”
Boutte lifted Westgate to a 27-22 win with three second-half touchdowns, including a 97-yard reception, and the game-winner with 2:02 remaining in the fourth quarter.
“
Kayshon ended the night with over 300 yards receiving,” Antoine said. “
He just started making plays all over the place. I’m like OK, now he’s arrived. He’s definitely one of the top players in the state just as a 15, 16-year-old... Now you can have your phone back.”
Another time, Boutte showed up on game day in compression tights. Antoine wasn’t a fan.
“I didn’t want guys wearing tights,” Antoine said.
“‘In order to keep these tights on, you’d better have a hell of a night or I’ll take you out of the game.’ Two plays later, I think he had two touchdowns back-to-back... ‘You all can put tights on now. If that’s how you’re going to play, we’re all going to wear tights.’”
Though an undoubted star in high school, things were more turbulent for Boutte at the college level. After excelling under Ed Orgeron as a freshman at LSU — one afternoon he torched Ole Miss for an SEC record 308 receiving yards — Boutte broke his ankle and ended his sophomore year prematurely.
Then when Brian Kelly took over for his junior season, there was friction and a different offense (and a different coaching staff) to learn. Off the field, Boutte’s girlfriend gave birth to a son last September, so there were plenty of changes across the board.
Though Boutte wasn’t able to match his stellar first season at LSU, Antoine believes Foxborough is the perfect place for him to hit his ceiling.
“To be honest with you, Kayshon still hasn’t scratched the surface of his potential,” Antoine said. “I think going to an organization like the Patriots with Coach (Bill) Belichick, I think you’re going to see monumental leaps. The biggest thing with Kayshon is just keep it competitive, keep it structured, and always have him working to always get better. When the chips are on the table, I know he’s always ready to perform."
“Get ready. Get y’all’s popcorn. Y’all going to see the show.”
