A cover corner in football needs to be tall and have good jumping ability to cover the taller wide receivers who may try to out jump him on a deep pass. Yet, the defensive back also has to be fast to keep up with the speedy slot receiver and strong enough to bring down tight ends or help out with running backs that get loose in the secondary. Not many corners have all these physical attributes. Javen Butler from Pittsburg High does.
The Pirates went into the 2010 season with high expectations but started off with five non-league losses before regrouping to win all five of their league games before then losing their opening round playoff game to league rival Heritage High 45-20.
At 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, Butler is an athletic marvel. This Pirate has both speed and power as he can run 4.40 seconds in the 40-yard dash, has a shuttle time of 3.90 seconds, can bench press 300 pounds, squat 430 pounds, and has a vertical of 36 inches. He was named the all-BVAL defensive back for both 2009 and 2010.
Butler has been a varsity starter for the last two year and has been attending summer camps for the past four summers. As a junior, he logged 49 tackles and two interceptions while he had 37 tackles in his senior year. He considers his best football skills to be his speed and balanced. During the offseason, he works on his footwork and line techniques against the wide receiver. Butler participated in the Maxscout All American game in Daytona Beach, Florida earlier this year. Butler models his game after former USC Trojan Taylor Mays as he has the size and speed to play as a cover corner or to roam the secondary as a safety.
Butler started playing football late compared to his high school peers. However, this has not stopped the colleges from contacting him. He currently has an offer from North Dakota and plans to make a visit there. He also has been in contact with Arizona, Idaho, Utah State, Washington State, among others.
According to Pittsburg High Coach Victor Galli, he says that Butler is big, strong, physical, and very fast. He has a huge upside and could develop into a monster. In addition, Galli notes that Butler probably has one of the lowest body fat percentages of any high school athlete around. Galli uses the term chiseled to describe Butler's frame.
Up and coming linebacker and running back Pirate teammate Feao Vunipola says, "Javen is a great athlete. He has the speed to play corner and the power to play safety. Honestly, he's one of the best defenders I've got to play with. He didn't really show his abilities and talent last year. But once he's out of his shell and comfortable, he'll be a monster."
Next season's Pirate starting quarterback Malik Ikaika Watson says, "Pound for pound, Javen is a scary cornerback to go up against. No matter what speed a receiver is, he can still cover him and shut him down. The guy is fearless and will lay wood on anybody."
J. Butla, what his teammates call him, is a legit college prospect even without his coach and teammates praises about him. Look for this Butler to be doing it on the college level in 2011.
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