Snapshot of top players on the move
Oregonbound QB Butterfield gained strength over summer
When your dad played professionally, you stand 6foot6, and you’re ranked the No. 2 prostyle high school quarterback in the country, eyeballs tend to follow. Expectations mount. Pressure follows.
None of it affects LibertyBrentwood senior Jay Butterfield in the least, says his coach Ryan Patridge.
“He doesn’t even know what expectations are,” Partridge said. “He just loves football and his teammates.”
Butterfield, The Chronicle’s No. 1 pick in its annual preseason look at the Bay Area’s top 50 players, is whip smart, personable and fun, said his coach.
But you don’t reach the heights Butterfield has without a competitive edge or awareness of one’s surroundings.
Partridge says the 202pound senior’s character is his best trait. The big arm, quick reads and superb accuracy were developed through consistent hard work and paying attention to detail. And not being satisfied.
After he completed 188 of 293 passes for 3,294 yards and 43 touchdowns while leading the Lions (131) to the 2018 state 1A championship, Butterfield hasn’t rested on his accolades or his college commitment to Oregon.
“He gained weight and strength,” Partridge said. “He’s poised for an exciting run. … His football IQ, his talents, but most importantly, his character (are) what makes Jay a great Lion and now a great Duck. … Oregon is lucky to have Jay.”
Butterfield’s father, Mark, played at Stanford and signed with the Chicago Bears before playing in NFL Europe.
“He can make all the throws,” wrote longtime 247Sports recruiting expert Brandon Huffman of Jay Butterfield. “Can easily throw downfield, but also chips away with shorter and intermediate throws. High football IQ with incredible poise and pocket awareness. Is a pure pocket passer, who throws with time and great anticipation. Extremely polished.” By the numbers: Led by Valley Christian and De La SalleConcord (four players each), 29 schools were represented in the list. Liberty, Monte VistaDanville and Bishop O’DowdOakland each had three. By position, wide receiver led the way with nine selections, followed by quarterback (five of the first 19) and defensive line with seven each, offensive line (six), running back (five), and tight end and defensive back, four each.
Three players were given “athlete” designations for multiple spots and of the other 47, 11 were noted for contributing significantly at two positions.
“It’s a strong year for talent in the Bay Area this fall, both in terms of topend talent at the top of the board as well as depth,” said Greg Biggins ,a longtime West Coast recruiting expert for 247Sports. “There are several national recruits capable of playing for anyone in the country, highlighted by Jay Butterfield ... and Troy Franklin (Menlo Atherton). I really like Dejuan Butler (Antioch) a lot — he’s a fast, physical corner — and Patrick Selna (Piedmont) is a major late bloomer who has the size and athletic traits to be a very good player at the next level.” More Lions: Two other Liberty players made the list: junior defensive end and offensive tackle Akili Calhoun (No. 18) and senior athlete Peyton Borrelli (No. 49). Two others, running back Justice Jackson, a transfer from Berean ChristianWalnut Creek, and twoway lineman Payton Zdroik, were on the cusp.
Liberty lost 10 starters to graduation, including Chronicle Contra Costa CoPlayer of the Year Sione Vaki and AllMetro running back Tyerell SturgesCofer, but the addition of strength coach Adam Seipel has helped with a very productive offseason.
The Lions are ranked second behind De La SalleConcord in The Chronicle’s preseason Top 25, and 43rd nationally by MaxPreps.
“Calhoun has gained 20 pounds of muscle and added speed. He will be dominant,” Patridge said. Borrelli “had a great offseason. He’s a dominant blocker and weapon on offense and he’ll anchor our defense. (Zdroik) is the hardest worker and strongest player (on the team). He had an amazing offseason and colleges are starting to see it. ( Jackson) has fit in perfectly. He’s playing all over the field for us with his versatility.” Honorable mentions: Of the top 50 lists we’ve done over the past decade, this one was the toughest to compile as little separated 11 through 50. The selections were made based on criteria that evenly considered onfield productivity and college recruiting interest.
Dozens of others sat on the bubble, including Monte Vista athlete Jacob Oliphant ,De AnzaRichmond receiver Jalen Henderson, Serra safety Jackson Lataimua (Nevada commit), San Leandro linebacker Osaro Aihie, Valley Christian safety Kavir Bains, Milpitas cornerback Isaiah Dwelle, Antioch running back Jaysn Wade, O’Dowd athlete Malachi Ward, CaliforniaSan Ramon tackle Austin Anderson and Sacred Heart PrepAtherton athlete Tevita Moimoi. Attention coaches: Please continue to update rosters, schedules and statistics on MaxPreps.com.