The No. 7 jersey is special to the LSU football community with a player needing to earn the right to wear it.
The number has been worn by NFL stars like Tyrann Mathieu, Patrick Peterson, and Leonard Fournette during their time with the Tigers and it was most recently worn by Derek Stingley Jr. last year before the LSU cornerback became the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Ahead of the 2022 football season, the Tigers announced who will be wearing the jersey this season, awarding the iconic number to third-year receiver Kayshon Boutte.
Following in the footsteps of legends
7️⃣ | @KayshonBoutte1 pic.twitter.com/UYGc3YJt4K
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) July 14, 2022
“7 is bigger than football,” Boutte wrote on Instagram. “It’s about Leadership, Encouragement, Accountability, and Discipline. I had to grow into 7 to understand it already had the characteristics that I was striving for. To be chosen to wear this Legendary number is an honor. I’m excited to be back on the field with my brothers and go to work this season. To do it in Number 7 is a true blessing, following in the footsteps of some of the greatest players in LSU history. Greatness begins now.”
Boutte earned the number over a few other fellow LSU players, including incoming Ohio State transfer Sevyn Banks, who fittingly wore the No. 7 jersey with the Buckeyes. Banks expressed the desire to wear the historic number at LSU but said he would “ball in whatever number” he wears.
Entering the season as one of the top receivers in the country, Boutte led LSU with 509 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in just six games last season before suffering a season-ending leg injury in October. Boutte was a five-star recruit and the top-rated wide receiver coming out of high school.
[LSU]
