The three LSU Tigers with the most to gain at the NFL Combine

Nine LSU Tigers in the 2023 draft class were invited to the NFL Combine on Wednesday. The news has us thinking about the Bayou Bengals with the most to gain from the pre-draft showcase.

First on our list is the most polarizing and controversial player the LSU Tigers are sending off to the NFL. He’s a collegiate standout that is arguably trying to get back the stock he once had.

Kayshon Boutte, Wide Receiver

Not long ago, it was absurd to think Kayshon Boutte was anything less than a 1st round draft pick. However, many things have changed, and the former LSU Tigers stud receiver could plummet to draft day number three. Mel Kiper and Todd McShay have Boutte listed 5th on their wide receiver big board. Such seems alright, but 5th-best at receiver isn’t great for a class loaded at the position. However, Boutte can move up the boards with a strong combine showing.

It’s fair for LSU Tigers fans to assume Boutte’s 2022 struggles were due to injury. The Louisiana native wasn’t fully healthy most of the season and could not do what he does well. So it made sense that Boutte would return to LSU for a healthy senior season. But such plans were thwarted when Boutte suddenly announced he was going pro just before the Citrus Bowl.

BJ Ojulari, EDGE

BJ Ojulari was the LSU Tigers’ most important defensive player and, until the emergence of Harold Perkins, the team’s best. Ojulari starred in Baton Rogue while playing the JACK linebacker position, but was he good enough for the 1st round? The NFL Combine is an opportunity for the 6’3/250-lbs edge rusher to make his move. One can assume NFL scouts are familiar with Ojulari’s speed and explosiveness. But teams might need to learn how smart and coachable he is. Such is why the combine’s drills and interviews matter to a player of Ojulari’s prospect.

There is a huge pay scale difference for players drafted in round two instead of round one. Also, LSU Tigers fans realize Ojulari is the best chance at a Bayou Bengals player selected in the first round. Some mock drafts sneak Ojulari in their 1st round, but most analysts predict he’s a 2nd round selection. ESPN’s Matt Miller predicts the Los Angeles Rams will draft Ojulari at pick 36.

Mekhi Garner, Cornerback

NFL teams scour draft classes, looking for the guy who makes up for who they passed on the previous year. In 2023, we expect several NFL scouts to work overtime to find the next Tariq Woolen. Woolen is a taller, big-body cornerback the Seattle Seahawks snagged in the 5th round of the 2022 draft. The selection immediately paid dividends as Woolen started most of his rookie season and looked like their next great corner. Could Mekhi Garner of the LSU Tigers be the Woolen of the 2023 class?

Comparing Garner to Tariq Woolen is a stretch. Garner does many things well on the gridiron, but he isn’t blessed with Woolen’s wheels. However, despite his lack of elite speed, Garner is ranked as high as the top-50 on some draft analyst sites. He’s also ranked as low as 164 on other speculative boards. Either way, the vast difference in projection shows that many don’t know what to make of Garner. Thus, the individual drills and team interviews are enormous for the 6’2/220-lbs defender.

Garner can solidify his day three draft status with a strong combine performance. Conversely, a bad day can push him into undrafted free-agent territory.

The NFL Combine takes place from February 28 to March 6 in Indianapolis. Nine LSU Tigers are included in the field of 319 prospects. Joining Ojulari, Boutte, and Garner are Ali Gaye, Jaquelin Roy, Micah Baskerville, Jaray Jenkins, Jay Ward, and Anthony Bradford.