Aaron Butler, Colorado football commit, 'steps away' for rest of high school season

Butler, a top 75 ESPN recruit, has decided to stop playing high school football to focus on graduating early.

Calabasas High's Aaron Butler, a highly touted football prospect committed to Colorado, has informed head coach Cary Harris he's not playing the rest of the season.

Butler sat out last week in the team's 33-21 win over Oxnard and will not play for the Coyotes (2-3) as they enter Marmonte League play, including Friday's game against Oaks Christian. There are five games left in the regular season.

"He has informed our staff he's stepping away from the team," Harris said.

Butler has bulked up on his classes this semester with plans to graduate early and get to Boulder, Colorado for the Buffs' spring camp.

"He's still on campus," Calabasas athletic director Thomas Cassidy said. "I think he's taking three or four more online classes."

Butler is one of the top dynamic playmakers in the country and rated a 4-star recruit, according to 247Sports.com. He was originally headed to USC before committing to Colorado in May after visiting Colorado and Buffs' coach Deion Sanders in April.

Butler is ranked the 70th overall prospect in the country, according to ESPN. In four games this fall, he tallied 586 yards and five touchdowns on 28 receptions. He hauled in 13 receiving touchdowns as a junior.

Butler has been seen playing both sides of the ball at defensive back and wideout the last three seasons, but this fall, there's been a deeper focus on playing wide receiver, which is where he'll be playing at Colorado.

"He's been playing mostly wide receiver this season, and I think that's where Colorado wants him, too," Harris said.

Harris expects Calabasas' Danye Brown and Darren Maiden to step up in the absence of Butler for the rest of the year.

Butler's father, Robb-Davon Butler, played defensive back in the NFL and was teammates with Deion Sanders in 2005 with the Baltimore Ravens.