JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – When Ziyon Butler first stepped onto Raines High School’s football field as a freshman, his head coach immediately noticed his talent, but also knew there was work to be done.
“A kid that was maybe 130 pounds when he first got here,” head coach Donovan Masline said. “But we saw early on that he had the talent to be an explosive wide receiver.”
And Butler said he knew the work would come in the weight room, especially since he was considered the “small dude.”
So he went into the offseason with a specific mindset.
“I have to play,” Butler said.
Butler got a glimpse of what his hard work could lead to during his sophomore year, when his first catch was a touchdown. However, he suffered an injury that season.
The setback fueled his determination.
“Got hurt my 10th grade year, so I definitely had a chip on my shoulder,” Butler said. “That 11th grade year, that’s when windows opened for me, and a lot of coaches started looking at me.”
His junior year was a turning point, with Butler accumulating over 600 yards of offense and accounting for double-digit touchdowns. The performance caught the attention of college recruiters, culminating in his first offer.
Masline vividly remembers Butler’s reaction to that first opportunity.
“He ran through practice in the spring just excited, screaming, lying on the ground, started doing snow angels in the 90-degree weather,” the coach recalled with a smile.
Now, the senior wide receiver enters his final high school season with a commitment to play at Georgia State University.
“Every student athlete’s recruitment journey to the next level is not the same,” Masline said. “Continue to work when nobody’s watching. So that when the opportunity presents itself, you can take full advantage of it.”
Masline also emphasized the crucial role of family support in Butler’s development, praising his parents’ commitment throughout the journey.
“They’ve been supportive of him since he was a young kid to get to this point,” he said. “Just want to thank them for trusting me with their young student-athlete.”
But Butler’s high school journey isn’t over. He has a mission he wants to accomplish this season.
“My goal is state,” Butler said, outlining his senior year aspirations. “[The] team’s goal is obviously [to] get back to state and hopefully win this time.”
Butler also had a message for other undersized players hoping to play at the next level.
“Block out the noise... Just keep your head down, hit the weight room, just keep grinding. It’s gonna come.”
The Vikings, coming off a dominant 77-0 victory over Sandalwood in their season opener, will face Trinity Christian in Week 3 on Friday at 7 p.m.