Tulane's Devin Boutte officially leaves program

Tulane punt and kickoff return specialist Devin Boutte has officially left the football program, coach Curtis Johnson said in Tuesday's weekly media luncheon. 

"As of right now, he is not a part of our football team and academically he feels like he has a strong need to graduate so I agree with him if that's why the case may be. It's not about him going to another school," Johnson said. "He's in the school of business which is really tough and he is at a critical point for graduation."

Johnson also said that Boutte never mentioned a lack of playing time as a reason for leaving the team. 

"He never said that. I mean, he was a starter on kickoff and put return. You're going to get eight snaps a game ... He was playing."  

Boutte returned 16 kickoffs for 314 yards and 23 punts for 94. Darion Monroe will return to his punting duties, as program staff chose to keep Monroe fresh for defense.