Northwestern leads for local RB
Last year, running back Andre Butler missed five games but still put up impressive numbers. As his senior season approaches he's poised to establish himself as one of Illinois' top players.
Butler is a 5-foot-11, 185-pound running back and defensive back from South Holland (Ill.) Thornwood. He runs the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds and bench presses 320 pounds.
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In a shortened season, he rushed for more than 600 yards and 10 touchdowns, and also recorded 60 tackles with seven sacks.
"I missed five games last year because of a doctor's order saying I had to sit out," said Butler. "I had broken bones in my finger. I was the team captain last year and was named all-conference."
Butler is getting quite a bit of interest from college coaches despite the injury.
"Right now my favorites are Notre Dame, Northwestern, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Iowa. Notre Dame and Northwestern are leading the way. I also like Boston College and UConn, but I'd prefer to play in the Big Ten or at Notre Dame if I can."
Butler excels in the classroom as well as on the field. He's a three-year honor student and made the National Honor Society -- an elite award given to students for grades, character and work in the community. What does he like about his favorites?
"I like the fact that these schools have great academics as well as good football programs. My dream is to play in the NFL, but I know that my football career will come to an end one day. I know that as long as I get a great education I can and will become anything in life I desire.
"I'll have a great life after football because my parents and I will select my college very carefully.
"Notre Dame has a great tradition to go along with academics while Northwestern has great academic tradition. Northwestern has offered me, so that might give them the edge."
In addition to Northwestern, Butler also has offers from Illinois, Indiana, Ball State and UConn, and hears from schools like Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Boston College and Nebraska weekly. Butler has put in the effort this past year to become a better player.
"I worked extremely hard during track season to build my speed up to enhance my performance on the football field. It paid off because I was a part of the downstate 4x200 relay team. It was a great joy to be part of our track team, which won the state championship.
"Now I want to know how that feels in football. I've been weight lifting and conditioning my body every day since track to get bigger, stronger and faster. My team just returned from a four-day camp in Indiana.
Leadership is very important to Butler.
"As team captain my job was, and still is, to be the leader and get our entire team to bond and become one unit. That's what's wins championships. I'm a team player and will do anything coach needs me to do, even if it means playing out of position."
Does he have a timeframe for when he would like to make his decision?
"I would like to make my decision as soon as possible," said Butler. "I just want to focus on one school and one team. That way I can get to know that particular school and the players."