DJ Butler
DJ Butler
About DJ
Expert Analysis
Ed OBrien | Prep Redzone Scout
Butler made 10 total tackles (four for a loss), broke up a pass, and registered a quarterback hurry in his team’s win against Lewis Bennett last week. He controls the middle of the Cadets’ defense, and in his “first three-game highlights,” he consistently limits yards after contact with his strong tackling. Athletic, Butler flows smoothly sideline-to-sideline and closes ground quickly in pursuit. Very physical and comes downhill with bad intentions. Sets the tone, which is impressive for a player his age. Youngest in charge.
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Read EvaluationTodd Haldis | Prep Redzone Scout
DJ put on an extremely impressive defensive performance Saturday in St. John’s close win over Spalding (MD). He totaled 12 tkls, 3 TFLs, 1 sack and 1 FF, and honestly it seemed like he was in on every play making an impact in some way. Coming down hill, closing quickly on the ball and plugging holes-no ball carrier was getting by him. An LB with nice athleticism, DJ has real fluid hips and good COD ability. He gets sideline to sideline in a flash and can track down the ball from any angle. There were multiple plays where as the snap he opened up and explode to meet the outside run at the LOS and stop the RB in his tracks. DJ hits through the ball carrier and lays the wood. An imposing force at LB, DJ is the #1 LB in the 2029 class for MD/DC/DE and I can see him being the #1 LB prospect for 29 in the country.
Week 2 St John’s vs Archbishop Spalding
Dominate defensive showing walking away with the Win!
Sack with the forced fumble 🎥
12 tackles
3 TFL
1 sack
1 FFDJ Butler
DJ Butler 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB St. John's College | 2029 State MD (VA)
#1 2029 Linebacker in DMV
6’2 215
St John’s (DC) pic.twitter.com/56WBApZ1nY— DJ Butler
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Read EvaluationCarl Frederick | Prep Redzone Scout
Currently DJ Butler is the top ranked linebacker in Maryland’s 2029 class and ranks 5th overall playing for St. John’s College. This is a rising sophomore who already holds power 4 offers, if Butler arrives tomorrow, he will turn heads! He can fly sideline to sideline and his footwork is nearly perfect, beginning to understand more why he has 12 Division 1 offers.
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Read EvaluationEd OBrien | Prep Redzone Scout
Butler started on the varsity team his entire freshman year. Maryland and Syracuse are among his early offers. There’s no question that he’ll pick up some more this offseason. Butler started 6-of-11 games and made 32 tackles (17 solo, 5 TFL’s) and two pass breakups.
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Read EvaluationTodd Haldis | Prep Redzone Scout
DJ is a player I saw in week one and he came on the scene like a missile. Has already proven himself to be a top prospect on colleges boards, picking up two P4 offers since the beginning of the season.
Standing 6’1″ with a frame that can easily hold 225+ in time, DJ is a great body kid and fits the mold for the position. An athletic ILB who fits perfect in a 2 LB scheme. DJ plays fast and flies around the field. He’s got superb fluidity in his hips for the position. Quick to turn & run, re-direct and go get ball. Another freshman on this top 5 that plays above their years in understanding the game. Shows high on-field IQ, quick to read, identify, and react. DJ has also show he can be effective in coverage. Able to drop into the hook/curl as well as get out to the flats. Can read routes and athletic enough to stay with WR’s/RB’s that flash in front of him and is then quick to close to make the play.
A playmaking LB that can get all over the field with the quick twitch athleticism to pair with the physicality to lay the wood on ball carriers. DJ is a do it all LB that will continue to generate a lot of interest from colleges this fall.
On to the next
Week 5 loading https://t.co/aaj7KzzCwT pic.twitter.com/fNQ63uq0yL
— DJ Butler
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Read EvaluationRyan States | Prep Redzone Scout
- In 2025 LB DJ Butler was selected to the UA Next 2025 All-American Game, representing Team Unstoppable.
- Watching Butler play it is very easy to see his future as a dominant mike linebacker, as his speed and willingness to make plays in the run game are second to none. But his best traits are his field vision, and coverage ability. Butler is able to effortlessly read the QB’s eyes, and play just far enough away from his receiver to bait the throw, then drift over and snag it for himself.
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Read EvaluationAlan Popadines | Prep Redzone Scout
One of three Virginia 2029 prospects to stand out on the defensive side of the ball, Butler had a nice day at linebacker at camp. Attended his first PRZ Next camp two years ago and measured in at 5-foot-3 and 135 pounds, but is now up to a solid 5-foot-9 and 160 pounds. He’s another prospect I saw just last month at AYF Nationals in Florida. Did a good job of using his length to his advantage. In a camp setting linebackers are often at a disadvantage because they do a lot of pass coverage, but Butler held his own. Has pretty good feet, plays on his toes and bounces nicely awaiting the back or receiver to make their move. He has some room for improvement in overall speed, but there’s a lot to work with here.
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