Blake BaumgartnerESPN Writer3 minute read
Why Wilbon takes issue with Rhule’s potential hit at Deion
Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser react to Matt Rhule appearing to take a swipe at Deion Sanders.
Aaron Butler’s connection to the Colorado coaching staff was almost immediate when he visited in April, his father having been Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders’ teammate with the Baltimore Ravens in 2005.
Nearly a month later, Butler, the No. 80 overall rookie on ESPN 300 2024, finally decided to commit to Sanders on Tuesday. It becomes Colorado’s first ESPN 300 commitment for the class of 2024 and is ranked 24th by ESPN.
“The confidence that the coaching staff has in me and in the system, knowing how many times that ball is going to be thrown in first year, being able to catch 50 passes,” said Butler, who had been contracted to the USC until Jan. 11 and had also considered Oregon, Alabama, Miami and Arizona, ESPN told. “I know by this second, third year, I’m going to be projected as one of the best receivers. I’ve had the opportunity to put into production, so that piece is there.
“And then have a gold jacket [Pro Football Hall of Famer] do it as a head coach and that connection there and how he cares about people. The time and things he devotes to it and the energy they have. They try to win. They’re trying to win right now and it’s contagious. You don’t have to play with it.”
The 6-foot-1, 175-pound butler is categorized as an athlete but projects as a wide receiver in offensive coordinator Sean Lewis’ system. He caught 38 passes for 830 yards and 13 touchdowns in nine games for Calabasas High School (California) last season as a junior.
His father, Robb-Davon Butler, signed with the San Diego Chargers in 2004 as a defensive back after going undrafted from Robert Morris University before eventually heading to the Ravens’ practice squad in October. 2005.
“It’s a bit surreal, man, to be honest with you,” Robb-Davon Butler said of his son playing for Deion Sanders. “Once you get an offer, you always know there’s a chance you could play for the school. But what we didn’t plan for besides the relationship, the story, was the Consistency of staff, right?So Deion is like one piece to a much bigger puzzle.
“His staff are truly outstanding and I want to make sure they get the credit they deserve because a lot of schools are talking, based on Aaron’s ratings and his film, that he is a priority. … But no one has actually demonstrated this – these words – quite like Colorado. So throughout this process, [Aaron] he himself learned that actions speak louder than words.”
