Butler settled on a top six

The month of July saw major changes in the recruitment of Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edward safety Tony Butler, and he kicks off August with a top group of schools.

"My recruitment has narrowed down to six right now," Butler said. "I am really focused on those six and focused on my season. I feel that is the best thing to do for my family, just to narrow it down a little bit."

The six schools Butler has narrowed his focus to are Arizona State, Clemson, Michigan, Minnesota, Rutgers and West Virginia.

"I got to visit three of the six in July. That was really important," Butler said. "With my officials I have to get to the other schools, so I can visit all six. I will go from there, and figure out (which school) I am going to go."

Butler's first visit in July went to Michigan on July 15. He then visited Clemson before finally stopping at West Virginia on July 31.

"West Virginia has always been a top school in my mind," Butler said. "I liked them as a kid and finally got to visit and got the offer on the visit. That was pretty big for me. I just love the culture and the fan base.

"Clemson had the No. 1 defense last year, so me being a defensive guy I can come in and learn from the best coaches in the country. I can really get my craft together and hopefully make my step to the NFL.

"Michigan is just a great school academically and football-wise. It's a rich tradition and my former coach is up there so I have a connection up there and someone I can fall back on if things get rough."

That leaves Arizona State, Minnesota and Rutgers as Butler's official visit priorities heading into the fall. He expects Arizona State to be an in-season official visit, but the trips to Minnesota and Rutgers to happen after his senior season is complete.

"At Arizona State I like Coach (Chris) Ball a lot," Butler said. "He is a great guy when we talk on the phone and when he visited me in the spring. We have a great connection. They are losing five DBs this year and are looking to sign four DBs (in 2016). If I go there, there definitely would be a chance to play as a freshman.

"Minnesota last year signed six DBs and this year they want to sign five. It's kind of a different situation, but they play six DBs a game. I like the coaching staff a lot and they might be recruiting me the hardest.

"Rutgers is a family base and I like that a lot. I have had a connection with their coaches since my sophomore year when I was just a prospect with no film. They saw the potential and liked me a lot. It's just a great relationship."

With several more visits Butler wants to take, and some of those being planned for after his senior season, a commitment is not imminent.

"Hopefully I don't get hurt and have to rush it, but it will be probably December or early January that I commit," Butler said.

Absent from Butler's top six is Pittsburgh, the school he was committed to for three months before rescinding that pledge in early July.

The 6-foot-2, 197-pound defensive back is coming off a junior season in which he recorded three interceptions and 10 pass break-ups to go along with 27 stops.