Butler Making Best of Last Season With Huskers

By Christian Summers
Lincoln -- As a prep All-American for Pebblebrook (Ga.) High School, Terrell Butler had his choices of schools to attend. After narrowing his list to five schools, Butler felt he would be best suited donning the scarlet and cream and playing for the Huskers.

"I picked Nebraska because it has a great tradition," Butler said. "Nebraska has a big-time college football program and I wanted to be a part of that."

In 2000, Butler was one of four true freshmen to earn playing time. He appeared in eight games that season while contributing one tackle and seeing action on special teams. Butler then made a position change from cornerback to rover before returning to cornerback.

"The position change at the beginning of my sophomore season really had me confused because I was moving from cornerback to rover," Butler said. "I realized that the rover position just wasn't for me."

Butler admits that in the past it was difficult to deal with the lack of playing time he was getting, but it didn't stop him from working hard in the offseason and during practice. Butler credits his ability to overcome hard times to his family and friends who stood by him.

"It took a strong man to fight through what I went through my first couple of years," Butler said. "I had a good support group of family and friends to help me get through the struggles. The worst thing I could have done was get frustrated and give up."

With a new defensive backs coach this season in Marvin Sanders, Butler again feels energetic about his situation.

"Before Coach Sanders, I was never really coached with a hands-on approach," Butler said. "I was taught the defensive back position from an X's and O's standpoint, but Coach Sanders has really taught me the technical aspect of the game, and it has really helped me step up."

Butler wants to contribute any way he can this season, whether it's working in the secondary, on special teams or helping out other teammates.

"I want to contribute when and where I can," Butler said. "I am going to make the best out of my final season here."

Entering the 2003 season, Butler had risen to second on the depth chart behind Fabian Washington. He added a tackle and had his first career pass breakup last week in the win over Utah State.

Along with his rise in confidence at his position, Butler has established himself as one of the team leaders, which hasn't gone unnoticed by Sanders.

"Terrell is a guy who really wants to learn and get better," Sanders said. "He is a total team player, and is maturing into a team leader and a hard worker."

Butler believes the situations he has been put in while at Nebraska will not only help him this year, but in the future with life after football.

"It really shows you that you have to work hard for everything in life," Butler said. "Life is going to throw you some curves. It's how you react to them that makes you successful."