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The Syracuse Orange will have a new, experienced face at the cornerback position next fall. Notre Dame’s Devin Butler announced on Thursday that he’ll complete his college career at SU. Irish247 was the first to report the news.
Butler, a former four-star commit from 2013, is from Washington D.C. (Gonzaga High School) and has played sparingly since arriving at Notre Dame. He has 50 tackles and one interception as a member of the Irish.
The cornerback doesn’t come without some questions, however. This past summer, Butler was arrested and faced felony charges for resisting law enforcement and battery of an officer. Already out with a broken foot, he was placed on indefinite suspension, which functions as a redshirt season for 2016.
In the Irish247 piece, Butler talks about why he chose Syracuse — which is a decision he actually came to back in November.
"The Syracuse staff is genuine. The guys there treated me in a real mature fashion. It's a different recruiting process as a graduate student. You've seen the pageantry. It's more about seeing the way you'll be treated and held accountable and influence the program in a positive way."
One would think Butler will contend for a starting spot right off the bat, especially after Corey Winfield’s transfer announcement. While there are no guarantees there, even the extra experience will be helpful for a secondary that struggled mightily in 2016. The Orange were 117th in the country against the pass — something that should certainly serve as a beacon for those that want a new opportunity and a chance at playing time.
Butler’s addition will make it 22 new players on the roster for 2017, including 21 recruits. That leaves four scholarships for the Orange to play with now as we enter the final month or so of the 2017 commitment cycle. It also makes for two Devin Butlers on the roster for SU now, which... should make for some confusion once next season gets started.
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Thoughts on Butler’s addition? Share away in the comments.