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SMU has signed athlete Chris Butler (5-10, 205, 4.5) of Brusly, La., to its 2006 recruiting class. Butler played many positions for his high school team, including running back, quarterback, wide receiver, safety, cornerback, outside linebacker, punter, kicker, punt returner and kickoff returner. We don't yet have his senior statistics, but he did score at least one touchdown while playing EIGHT different positions, and might well be the first signee in SMU history to line up at punter, scoop up a bad snap and turn it into a touchdown. Rivals lists Southern Miss and Tulane, although I don't know if that's just interest from those schools or offers -- I'll talk to Butler to confirm.
What position he will play initially at SMU has not yet been determined.

What is involved in the timing of this signing? Did a scholarship just become available? Was Ritter part of this by moving to bball?

Ritter never had been moved to a football scholarship, and per today's DMN, will be reinstated to the basketball team.

Butler is a guy who sort of flew under the radar. My understanding is that he and his team got very little attention this year, perhaps in part because of Katrina fallout (although I'm not sure). He ran well at LSU's camp and was on their radar all year, but got caught in a numbers game there -- maybe he had his hopes set on LSU .... I don't know yet. If he could play only one position -- especially if it's RB -- I don't know if he signs. But he is extraordinarily versatile and can play many positions, which clearly made him more attractive.

No Senior Stats or Updates on Rivals? Huricane may have affected his senior year because his hometown is in Baton Rouge area. Very productive as underclassmen. 1,327 yards as junior plus 25 catches for 382 yards receiving with 22 TDs rushing and 2 receiving and over a 1,000 as a Sophmore. Also added 77 tackles and 2 Ints. as a Junior DB. Started as a Freshman and I believe scored a TD on first two carries. Rivals appears to have lost touch with him and there were no reports during senior year. Rated No. 36th Player in Louisiana by Dandy Don's Recruiting as Louisiana service. Most stories indicate he may be a SS type candidate too-as he doesn't have blazing speed-reported as 4.5, 4.6 or 4.65 in various stories. I note he is a big Javelin thrower and scores in several track events. Played 3A ball in Louisiana which also has 4A and 5A.

Here's a story that was written about him last year....

One of the top prospects in Louisiana to watch during the 2006 recruiting year is running back Chris Butler of Brusly High School.

"He is a good one. He started for us on defense as a freshman. The first time we put him in the game to run the ball he scored a touchdown," Brusly head coach Brady Perry said. "We looked at each other and said, we have him for four years. Then we gave it to him again and he scored again. The first two times he touched the ball on offense as a freshman he scored touchdowns."

Butler stands at 5-foot-10, 205-pounds and runs a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash. He finished his junior season with 1,327 yards rushing with 22 touchdowns. As a receiver, he caught 25 passes for 383 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively he had 77 tackles and two interceptions.

"He ran for over a thousand yards as a sophomore and another thousand as a junior," Perry said. "he does it all, he starts on both sides of the ball and he returns punts and kicks."

Butler is very versatile and can play anywhere Perry needs him.

"He might have to play quarterback. He is our backup and he practices there in case we need him," Perry said. "We run a wing-T and he is our fullback. He runs a lot up the middle. He has strong legs, good power and he is hard for one person to tackle."

Butler has some pretty good statistics defensively as well. Perry was asked if some schools might try and recruiting him on defense.

"If I was coaching college I would put him at running back, but maybe strong safety.

"He is one of those kids that is going to make the play for you. When we get in a bind we are going to give him the ball and he is going to make a play. The thing is that he can do it all. He is the punter, he can kickoff, return punts, you name it."

Perry says that Butler received an invitation to LSU's junior day, which will be held next Saturday, February 19.

Butler is a good student and takes the ACT for the first time on Saturday.

Where did this scholarship come from?

SENIOR STATS: 1,179 yards 6.2 yards per carry 19 TDs

Not sure I understand the question. It's pretty standard practice to sit on a few extra scholarships, in case a very talented guy becomes available. I assume that's what happened here.

Stallion wrote:SENIOR STATS: 1,179 yards 6.2 yards per carry 19 TDs

Nice work, Stallion.
6.2 ypc and 19 touchdowns? Not bad!

kid's got game. good to see him coming to play with us.

Corso wrote:Not sure I understand the question. It's pretty standard practice to sit on a few extra scholarships, in case a very talented guy becomes available. I assume that's what happened here.

Why did some get grey shirts then?

I know your information is usually dead-on, but has this been reported anywhere else?
Welcome to SMU, Chris!

Hilltopper wrote:I know your information is usually dead-on, but has this been reported anywhere else?
Welcome to SMU, Chris!

Is hearing it directly from Phil Bennett dead-on enough?

let's not kid ourselves- this kid was never going to LSU....BUT I like a good kid like this. Looks to be versatile, a gamer and has good speed and durable, and more importantly, a student of the game.

While he didn't end up at any of the SEC schools, I think this is GREAT DEAL, much akin to Tech finding Wes Welker AFTER SIGNING DAY when one of their scholarship offers fell through. Welker did pretty much the same deal- played a gazillion positions, did well at all of them, just didn't fit into the whole 'must have blue chipper'. This kid has a pretty good track record.

GOOD JOB, PB, we'll look out for this one.

Looking forward to seeing him in an SMU jersey!