CU first in line for SoCal linebacker

Mature beyond his years, Darien Butler does not look or talk like your average sophomore high school football player. The Harbor City (Ca.) Narbonne linebacker already stands 6-foot-0.5, 220-pounds, and he prides himself on his football IQ.

“I focused on my keys and talking to my defense a lot last season. That's what helped me have a successful season,” Butler said. “It was pretty special just being a sophomore being able to make tackles and make plays out there for my team.”

Although colleges are limited in the amount of contact they can have with him at this early stage, Butler has received interest from UCLA, Colorado and San Jose State.

“They are just telling me they think I am explosive. They like how I play and they just want me to keep working,” he said.

Colorado became the first program to offer him a scholarship in April, near the beginning of the spring evaluation period.

“It was a pretty good feeling getting that offer because Colorado is a great school,” Butler said. “I have been looking more at them, watching some videos of Colorado and I like what they are doing down there.

“[Buffaloes running backs] coach [Darian] Hagan wants me to keep working and he said he is going to come out to more of our practices and games in the future, and send other coaches from Colorado down."

Butler hopes to continue hearing from UCLA. He grew up cheering for the Bruins.

“I really like UCLA a lot,” he said. “Just growing up, it was one of the schools I watched a lot because it is close by and I got to see them on TV a lot.”

With 20-and-a-half months until he will sign a letter of intent, Butler is going to sit back and see what other offers come in.

“There is no need to rush it so I am going to be patient,” he said. “I just want to get along with the program and the coaching staff. I'd also like to go somewhere where I can get some good exposure.”