Tennessee Reaches into North Carolina for 4-Star DT Matthew Butler
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
The ever changing and morphing 2017 Tennessee recruiting class added another member to the mix on Wednesday when North Carolina defensive tackle/end Matthew Butler pledged to the Volunteers.
Butler (6-4, 265) was a key clog in the middle for Garner High School over the past three seasons. He jumped onto the scene during his sophomore season tallying 70 tackles, 38 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks, and two fumble recoveries. The Trojans posted a 9-3 record in 2015 with Garner compiling 65 tackles, 18 tackles for a loss, and 10 sacks. A breakout season, only in Butler’s terms, came during his senior campaign with 96 total tackles, an amazing 44 tackles for a loss with 26 sacks against 4A competition.
By the time Butler committed to Tennessee, he had over 20 reported offers to choose from. Butler took official visits to Duke (Sept. 9), Penn State (Sept. 16), and Texas A&M (Nov. 11). Two trips were made to Knoxville during the season, an unofficial on Oct. 15 and an official on Dec. 21. Butler wrapped up his recruiting process with a post on Twitter reading, “I am officially committed to THE University of Tennessee!! #ThankGod.”
Tennessee has been busy in December landing five recruits starting with Trey Smith with a stretch that included Shannon Reid, Deandre Johnson, Will McBride, and Butler. The Volunteers maybe maxed out with scholarships to give. The NCAA limit is 25 baring special circumstances. The Vols 2017 recruiting class is now ranked No. 11 in the nation by 247Sports, No. 6 in the SEC. Rivlas likes the 26 players on the roster at the No. 9 spot in the country with nine four-star players and 17 three-star talents.
Tennessee Volunteers 2017 Verbal Commitment List (26)
CB Terrell Bailey, 6-0, 175, John Ehret HS, Marrero, LA
CB Cheyenne Labruzza, 5-11, 186, Albany HS, Albany, LA
CB Shawn Shamburger, 5-11, 188, Colquitt County, Moultrie, GA
SS Maleik Gray, 6-2, 205, LaVergne HS, LaVergne, TN
SS Jaquan Henderson, 6-1, 205, Newton HS, Covington, GA
SS Theo Jackson, 6-2, 176, Overton HS, Nashville, TN
LB Will Ignont, 6-2, 230, Buckhorn HS, New Market, AL
LB Solon Page III, 6-1.5, 192, Kell HS, Marietta, GA
LB Shanon Reid, 6-1.5, 205, Dunbar HS, Fort Myers, FL
DE LaTrell Bumphus, 6-3.5, 232, Hardin County, Savannah, TN
DE Deandre Johnson, 6-3, 239, Miami Southridge, Miami, FL
DT Kivon Bennett, 6-3, 265, St. Thomas Aquinas HS, Fort Lauderdale, FL
DT Matthew Butler, 6-4, 265, Garner HS, Garner, NC
DT Eric Crosby, 6-1, 285, Ocean Lakes HS, Virginia Beach, VA
OT K’Rojhn Calbert, 6-5, 290, Warren County HS, McMinnville, TN
OT Trey Smith, 6-5.5, 310, Univ. School of Jackson, Jackson, TN
OG Riley Locklear, 6-5, 290, Spring Valley HS, Huntington, WV
TE James Brown, 6-4, 218, Jones HS, Orlando, FL
RB Ty Chandler, 5-11.5, 195, Montgomery Bell, Nashville, TN
QB Will McBride, 6-1, 190, Clear Springs, League City, TX
WR/OLB Marquez Bembry, 6-3, 214, Mount Vernon Presbyterian, Atlanta, GA
WR Princeton Fant, 6-2, 208, LaVergne HS, LaVergne, TN
WR Jacquez Jones, 5-11, 165, Clearwater HS, Clearwater, FL
WR Jordan Murphy, 6-1, 168, Hattiesburg HS, Hattiesburg, MS
ATH Trey Coleman, 5-11, 203, West Monroe HS, West Monroe, LA
K Brent Cimaglia, 6-0, 215, Fred J Page HS, Franklin, TN
Photo credit: scout.com; Matthew Butler at Penn State.