The Grove Report

RB Recruit Butler: 'What Separates Ole Miss from Everybody is Their Energy'

Alabama back took back-to-back Ole Miss visits in April

Matt Galatzan

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Ole Miss made a strong first impression on Derrick Butler to the point he returned to Oxford just days later for his second trip. 

The string of treks for the Mobile (Ala.) Davidson running back recruit came with the usual, campus tours, photo shoots and of course the inevitable comparison to fellow Alabama running back Quinshon Judkins, but it was the people in and around the program that impressed the rising-senior recruit most.

"Took a visit there and attended their spring game," he told The Grove Report. "It went very well, everyone around their has a positive view on life and incredible energy. My first impression was everyone wanted to be there, they were thrilled to be able to call themselves Rebels.

"I've noticed every college campus has nice buildings, what separates Ole Miss from everybody is their energy. They are the most energetic school I've met so far."

A 6-foot, 190-pound running back who has options to play other positions throughout his 10 scholarship offers, Butler rushed for more than 1,300 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior in 2022.

Kevin Smith views him at running back and an offer was extended in early March. 

"He (Smith) is telling me that they are very interested in me and my skillset and they would love for me to join the rebel family," Butler said.

The time at the Grove Bowl helped Butler gain perspective on Lane Kiffin's program and the support behind it.

"The fans are the fuel for their energy, at their spring game I noticed the fans hyping up their players every second away," he said. "Even if it was a field goal attempt their fans brought the energy, which in result gets the players pumped and it started to show on the field as the game progressed."

Butler is taking his time with the recruiting process at this point, though his stock has steadily risen through the New Year. Ole Miss has one running back commitment on board via in-state star Chris Davis Jr.

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Matt Galatzan
MATT GALATZAN

Matt Galatzan the Editor-In-Chief of TheGroveReport.com. Galatzan graduated from the University of Mississippi, where he studied integrated marketing communications, with minors in journalism and business administration. Galatzan started in the sports journalism industry under Mike Fisher at DallasBasketball.com in 2014, which at the time was part of the 247Sports network. He also spent two years covering the SMU Mustangs for PonyStampede.com on the 247Sports network. When DallasBasketball.com and CowboysCountry.com moved over to Sports Illustrated's Fan Nation network in 2020, Galatzan followed suit, eventually being taking over as the Managing Editor and Publisher of LonghornsCountry.com and AllAggies.com a year later. Through the years, Galatzan has conducted a handful of high-profile one-on-one interviews to add to his resume — in both writing and podcasting. Some of his biggest interviews have been with Mavs owner Mark Cuban, former Longhorns players Dan Neil and Phil Dawson, and many other recruits, and current/former players for each of the teams he has covered. Galatzan is also a full-time employee in the digital media department for Audacy and KRLD FM's 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, which is the official radio home of the Dallas Cowboys. You can find Galatzan on all major social media channels.

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