Relationships lead Cavon Butler to Kentucky
TOLEDO, Ohio – Defensive tackle Cavon Butler kicked off his senior season for Toledo (Ohio) Whitmer just three weeks after announcing a commitment to Kentucky. The three-star prospect heads into his senior season, though, still planning to explore some options.
THE LATEST
Schools across the country had interest in Butler, but most waited to offer until he took care of things in the classroom. The transcripts following his junior year must have been encouraging on that front, because the interest, and offers, saw an uptick. He held offers from the likes of Alabama, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and West Virginia, and had received interest from schools as far away as Arizona State. The relationships at Kentucky, though, along with the faith the Wildcat’s coaching staff placed in him prompted the commitment earlier this month even though he had never previously visited their Lexington campus.
IN HIS WORDS
“The coaches, they told me, basically, keep doing what I do and everything will fall into place. Coach (Vince) Marrow, I like him because he treats me like my own grandfather does.”
“I’m going to explore; I’m going to go to all five (official visits). I most definitely want to get out to Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State and Kentucky.”
RIVALS’ REACTION
Kentucky fans would prefer that Butler not visit other schools, obviously, but the list of campuses he wants to visit is an interesting one. Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State have not yet offered Butler, while schools like Alabama and West Virginia, which sent written offers earlier this month were not mentioned. This will be an interesting recruitment to watch develop in the coming months. Butler had a handful of tackles playing defensive end on Friday night. Kentucky has mentioned either tackle or end as a possible future position.