There’s a story in today’s paper about Butler linebacker Jarett Wright, who is having a breakout season for the No. 3-ranked Grizzlies.
I’m pretty proud of myself that I got Butler defensive coordinator Tim Schaffner to A) Actually call me back and B) Actually do an interview. Schaffner is notoriously press-shy and also … extremely intimidating. But dude called me back and was … eloquent. He had a lot to say and was rightfully proud of the middle linebacker position at Butler and how it has become kind of an “in-state” position for the Grizzlies. Trust me, if you can get a Kansas kid to fill this, maybe the most important spot on the defense, year-after-year with Division I-talent, well, you’re going to win a lot of championships. Oh, And his wife coaches the Butler spirit squad. Which is also cool.
As far as Wright … gotta love his talent and humility. The guy is a third-year player for Butler who came there as a fullback after playing for Newton High School. He actually played for Burrton, an 8-man school in his hometown, for two years before going to play for the Railers to see how he would do against better competition. He commuted the first year then his sister decided to go to college at Bethel and the family rented a house in town (and kept the one in Burrton, too).
Where will he end up after he leaves Butler? He’s good to go as soon as school ends in December … I’m hoping he gets a shot at a MAC school, at least, like his predecessor James Schneider, who is at Bowling Green and is about the exact same size as Wright (6-foot, 225-ish).
Either way, he’s the man and did a great interview. Down to earth, humble and wouldn’t talk about another national championship. He did talk about playing Highland on Saturday in El Dorado, which means he’s got his head in the right place. And the Scotties have a problem. Not only are the Grizzlies locked in, but they’re honoring their 1998 national title team Saturday night by inducting them into their hall of fame.
Watch out.
Later,
TA