Josh Boutte has always dreamed of playing football for LSU.

The massive Westgate offensive lineman will have the chance to fulfill that dream when he signs a national letter of intent next year. Boutte, a 6-foot-5, 300-pound junior, committed to sign with the Tigers this week after being offered a scholarship at LSU’s Junior Day last weekend.

“Coach (Les) Miles gave me the offer on Junior Day after we toured the campus,” said Boutte. “We sat down with him and he said he’d love for me to play for LSU.”

After talking with his mother, Marla Boutte, and older sister Latasha Boutte, who toured the LSU academic and athletic facilities with him, Boutte said he decided to commit to sign with LSU. His mother and sister advised him, he said, but told him the decision was his to make.

“I actually plan to enroll at LSU early and get a head start,” said Boutte, who plans to graduate next December and enroll in January, 2013.

Boutte is academically eligible but hopes to improve his ACT score so he qualifies for TOPS, a state scholarship program. “I’ve been busting my butt since my freshman year,” he said of his academic work.

Westgate head football coach Brian Fine said Boutte has had numerous other offers and visits from coaches, including those at Arizona State, Nebraska, Mississippi State and Texas A&M, but has always wanted to play for LSU.

In addition to the out of state schools that showed interest, Boutte also was pursued by such state schools as Louisiana-Lafayette and Tulane.

“I was never expecting to walk into Coach Les Miles’ office and have him offer me (a scholarship),” said Boutte.

He said he and his family liked everything about the tour of the university, from the way the athletes are treated to the weight facilities and the campus as a whole.

He said Fine encouraged him in his dreams as well, saying this is an opportunity to move to a new place and get both an education and play for a good program.

Miles told Boutte he’d like for him to play either left guard or right tackle, the WHS junior said, and said he has a chance to play as a freshman.

Boutte, a first-team All-District player and first-team member of The Daily Iberian’s Best of the Teche team, is the fifth player to commit to sign next season with the Tigers, joining Loranger athlete Jeryl Brazil, Salmen wide receiver Chuck Baker, Green Oaks wide receive Tre’Davious White and Jewel Sumner defensive back Jeremy Cutrer as early commitments.