Butler eager to earn playing time for UGA


The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 04/01/08

Athens — Somehow, some way, Georgia's Drew Butler wants to get onto the football field this fall.

In the meantime, he should be out there for the Bulldogs in at least three capacities when the annual G-Day Game is played on Saturday.

RELATED STORIES        • More UGA coverage

Butler, a redshirt freshman from Duluth, signed with Georgia out of Peachtree Ridge High last year primarily as a punter. However, he is also getting a look this spring as a placekicker. In case that doesn't work out, he's trying his hand at holding as well.

"I'm doing just about everything this spring," said Butler, the son of former Georgia All-American and Hall of Fame placekicker Kevin Butler. "I'm still punting behind Brian [Mimbs]. I'm hoping to compete there. I'm in there on placement kicks with two walk-ons. Right now we're in a rotation. I'm kicking off for Coach Fab [John Fabris] and I'm holding some for the field-goal team, too. So I'm doing everything really. I'm kind of a utility man right now, just trying to find a way onto the field this year."

Butler nearly got onto the field as a true freshman last season. But he was beaten out by Mimbs, a former walk-on, for punter. Mimbs, a rising senior on this year's team, responded with a solid season. He averaged 42.3 yards on 57 punts to rank third among SEC punters.

Place-kicking would seem the most tenuous position for the Bulldogs. Not only did all-star kicker Brandon Coutu graduate, but so did backups Andy Bailey, Bo Stansell and Ben Wilson.

But Butler has found the going tough there as well. On Monday, coach Mark Richt declared walk-on Andrew Jensen as "the leader" at that position with Butler and walk-on Brian Behr close behind. All three will handle kicking duties during G-Day. Signee Blair Walsh and at least one other walk-on will join the competition in August.

Butler is even encountering competition as the holder for placement kicks. Mimbs is the returning starter at that spot and Rowdy Francis returns as a backup.

Through it all, Butler is trying to maintain a good attitude and keep improving. Considering the legacy that is his last name at Georgia, it isn't always easy.

"It's rough. I'd really like to get on the field," he said. "But my patience is holding up. I'm just trying to work as hard as I can to show the coaches that I can do it and that I belong out there. I'm just doing whatever I can. Hopefully this year we'll be a year that I can get onto the field and help the team win."

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