Cameron Butler learned to play football in Kingston, Ontario with the Ontario Provincial Police Minor Football League (OPPMFL). Butler’s step father is with the Canadian Forces and was deployed from the Limestone City to CFB Gagetown in Oromocto, NB, which meant his family was moving.
The life of a base brat can be difficult, especially when their new home doesn’t offer sports other than hockey. Luckily for him, Ā Oromocto has a strong tradition of quality football, including their Varsity Blues program that competes across the entire mass that is NB.
Oromocto High competes in the province’s 10-man league. Hoping to play university football Butler thought it important to get some 12-man experience and so tried out for the province’s under 18 team. Just trying out meant competing with some of the league’s best athletes. Butler made the cuts and saw action in the National tournament. Impressed with the level of talent and grateful for the every opportunity he had, Butler was recalls the times he beat Riverview Royal DE Aidan Steves in practice among his fondest memories.
“Going against him was difficult, and each time I could kind of beat him felt good,” he recalled.
Training for the national tournament, Butler was exposed to a high level of coaching and competition, leaving him wanting to use his senior season to develop into an O-lineman worthy of gaining AUS recruitment. Butler is aware what is required of him to play at the next level.
“I need to lift a lot more; I need to get bigger, and stronger and get lower on run blocking,” he commented.
The experience also exposed him to film study. “We have hudl at OHS, but we never used it as much as we need too. We’d watch after our games, but never studied opposition enough, that’s something I want to bring back to OHS,” reflected the seventeen year old.
When asked how he would address a University coaches concern the transition from ten to twelve man would be too difficult Butler explained how playing OL in 10-man could actually be to his, and a coaches advantage.
“I can assure you ten man is still good, it’s not less hard, it’s maybe even harder as you have more field with less players, everything changes you need to know what the other guard and centre are always doing.”
Another aspect of 10-man Butler sees as an advantage is his need to block both interior and exterior lineman:
“Sometimes I have to set up for a quick DE, or sometimes I’m up against a big tackle that I have to down block on.”
Entering his senior season Butler only knows he doesn’t want this to be his final year. Considering studying Kinesiology, the 6’2, 245 lineman will consider any opportunity that comes to him, but for the present is focusing on the season. Defending champions, Butler is using the back talk since last years victory to help him prepare.
“Guys keep telling me they’re going to destroy us this year, they won’t back it up, I say we’re going to win again.”
A bold prediction, Butler realizes he has to get the rest of his team on board. A captain last season Butler is prepared to lead his team in his own unique way.
“I’m not the talkative type, more the show you type. I’ll play and will show in actions more than words. I’ll go one on one to make sure you’re doing it right.”
Butler is a 3 sport athlete for the Blues, playing basketball in the winter and rugby in the spring. Although he enjoys playing both, he admits he only really plays them to get better at football. Entering his seventh season Butler reflects on his time with as an Oromocto Blue.
“My coach Frank Devine pushed me and started making me really enjoy football. He made me realize I wanted to do more of this after school. Every time I have my jersey on it’s like my skin, it’s my team, my family.”
Cameron Butler
OL
6’2, 245 lb
Teams: OPP Golden Gators, Oromocto Blues
Commitment: none
Official Visits: none
Considerations: any AUS program
Class: 2018
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