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<< Previous   of   Next >> Jennifer Buchanan / The Herald  (click to enlarge) University of Washington linebacker Donald Butler at the Huskies' first practice on Aug. 4.   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Report scores and results to 425-339-3470 or 1-866-6-SCORES (Call after 4:30 p.m.) E-mail information including items for Tuesday's Communities Sports Roundup and Thursday's Outdoor Calendar, to sports@heraldnet.com Kevin Brown, Sports Editor kbrown@heraldnet.com   Published: Thursday, August 28, 2008 Huskies' natural leader UW linebacker Donald Butler possesses many skills, but his leadership is what impresses his coaches most By John Boyle Herald Writer SEATTLE -- Tyrone Willingham isn't exactly known for his press conference anecdotes, so when the University of Washington football coach does reach into the memory banks for a story, it must be a pretty significant one. Before the Huskies kicked off fall camp this month, Willingham shared a rare trip down memory lane when asked about the leadership skills of junior linebacker Donald Butler. Before the start of his senior year of high school, Butler was attending a summer camp at Washington. A running back at Sacramento's Del Campo High School, Butler heard the coaches asking for somebody to play middle linebacker. "He stepped right into the huddle and took charge of all of them," Willingham recalled. "It was very clear. You could see his leadership skills, his speed, his ability to hit and all those things I've always been a fan of. So being a leader isn't something he's grown into. It's always been there. But it's now becoming more his time." Butler didn't realize the significance of that moment at the time, but it turned out to be the launching point to a career as the Huskies' starting middle linebacker and the leader of the team's defense. "That day, they asked who played middle linebacker, and everyone was kind of looking around and nobody stepped up," he said. "So I said, hey, why not go out there and show them more of my talents?" With his outgoing personality, positive outlook and intelligence--he was an honorable mention Academic All-Pac-10 selection -- Butler seems like a natural leader, but said he has had to develop into that at Washington. As a high school running back, and an accomplished one at that -- he averaged 9.29 yards per carry as a senior -- Butler didn't have to show the leadership skills required of a middle linebacker. "I wouldn't say I necessarily liked it right away," Butler said. "In high school, I played running back so it was a little bit different. But it's definitely something I felt I had to grow into. Last year they said, you're playing in the middle linebacker spot, try to take control out there." With Dan Howell gone to graduation, and E.J. Savannah suspended indefinitely, Butler is the unquestioned leader of the linebackers, if not the entire defense. Butler plans to back that up with improved play this season. "If you don't know what everybody is doing on the field, and if production wise you're not getting it done, guys can't necessarily look up to you," he said. "But now I think I've grown into that." Following a freshman year in which he played nine games and had 24 tackles, Butler seemed poised for a breakout year in 2007. A lingering knee injury led to surgery in the spring of 2007, and Butler was never fully healthy last season, though he still played eight games, starting four. This season, Butler says he's back to full speed, and can't wait to show what he can do. "Finally, I definitely can say that I'm 100 percent, finally," he said with a smile. "It's exciting to be back." Even without Savannah, the linebackers figure to be the strength of Washington's defense. Mason Foster and Josh Gage, both of whom have limited experience, will look to Butler for leadership and advice on the field. "Donald is great," Foster said. "He gets everybody together, he gets everybody jacked up to play. He knows everything. He knows the whole defense in and out, so it's great to have him next to you on the field." Quarterback Jake Locker is the unquestionable leader of Washington's offense, based on the words of coaches and players this fall, Butler stepping into that role this season on defense. "Even last year they kind of wanted me to take a leadership role in our defense, because it comes with playing middle linebacker," he said. "I think I've always been a leader. . . I just naturally feel like I'm a leader." Contact Herald Writer John Boyle at jboyle@heraldnet.com. For more on University of Washington sports, check out the Huskies blog at heraldnet.com /huskiesblog

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