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Troy Butler has flattened quarterbacks for three years in Jacksonville. Now, the Raines edge rusher is making plans to do the same in college football.
It's the second week of June, and commitment season for high school football is running at full speed ahead, continuing with Butler's commitment on June 9 to Liberty. The Flames are three years removed from a Fiesta Bowl appearance.
A punishing and productive presence off the edge, the 6-2, 250-pound Butler played a crucial role in the Vikings' Florida High School Athletic Association Class 3A championship triumph over Miami Northwestern in December. He recorded 7 1/2 sacks as a Raines sophomore and 10 more as a junior, with tackle-for-loss tallies of 21 in 2024 and 25 in 2025.
Butler, who also forced five fumbles as a junior, is rated as a three-star recruit in the 247Sports composite.
The Raines star's decision is just one of many this week around the First Coast, and not the only one for Liberty:
Columbia head coach Joe Saucier was voted June 10 as the Florida Dairy Farmers Coach of the Year for softball, three weeks after leading the Tigers to their second state championship.
With a young squad at numerous positions, including freshman starters at pitcher and shortstop, Saucier helped the Tigers improve from 15-12 in 2025 to 29-3 in 2026, including a 16-game winning streak to end the season. Columbia defeated Lake Wales 3-2 for the Class 4A championship at Boombah-Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood.
Saucier is only the second Northeast Florida coach to win the award, following Oakleaf's Christina Thompson in 2017. University Christian's Keith Stroud was also among the coach of the year finalists.
In top player honors, Columbia shortstop Alannah Lord was named Class 4A player of the year, and University Christian pitcher Dixie Tessier won Class 1A player of the year.
The top statewide awards finished in a split for 2026: Pace pitcher Hannah DeMarcus won the Florida Dairy Farmers Miss Softball award, while Trenton pitcher Addison Allaire was selected as Gatorade Florida Softball Player of the Year.
St. Johns Country Day strikeout king Brayden Harris won Class 1A baseball player of the year and Union County outfielder Jeffrey Brugh was selected as the top Rural player, both advancing to balloting for Florida Dairy Farmers Mr. Baseball.
Top coach honorees in their respective classes were Trinity Christian's Jon Murphy in Class 2A, St. Johns Country Day's Tom Lucas in Class 1A and Union County's Jiwan James in Rural. All three are now state coach of the year finalists.
Harris, signed with Florida State, repeated as state strikeout leader with 165, while going 12-2 with a 1.07 ERA and winning both the state semifinal and final. He batted .400 with seven home runs and 31 RBI as well.
Brugh batted .385 with seven doubles, 21 steals and 26 RBI for the Fightin' Tigers. He has committed to Glenville State.
Other locals placing high in the statewide vote were Clay pitcher Rylan McMahan (second in 4A), Trinity Christian shortstop Jordan Martinez (second in 2A) and Bishop Snyder pitcher Cole Dennis (third in 2A). Clay's Josh Persinger finished third among Class 4A coaches.
Only one player in Northeast Florida history, Bishop Kenny catcher Tony Richie in 2000, has received the Mr. Baseball award.
The Florida Association of Basketball Coaches selected more than 30 Jacksonville-area players to its annual All-State teams.
Area boys selections were Tocoi Creek's King McFadden (Class 6A), Fleming Island's Carson Crawford (Class 5A), Ponte Vedra's Maddox Palmer (Class 5A), Bishop Kenny's Drew Jackson (Class 4A), Ribault's Brandon McCoy (Class 4A), Jackson's Langston Hackworth (Class 3A), Episcopal's Nolan Schwartz (Class 3A), Providence's William Stewart (Class 2A), Eagle's View's Justis Clements (Class 1A), Impact Christian's Ronald Clark (Class 1A), Fort White's Jayden Jackson (Rural) and Hilliard's King McMillian (Rural).
Girls honorees were Oakleaf's Brinkley Todd (Class 6A), Tocoi Creek's Audrey Beyer and Gabi Iturralde (Class 6A), Beachside's Morgan Cremen (Class 5A), Orange Park's Ella Crowe (Class 5A), Ponte Vedra's Jocelyn Hoffmann (Class 5A), Bishop Kenny's Kathleen Crawley (Class 4A), Bolles' Evie Freeman (Class 3A), Bradford's Ar'nayshia Griffin (Class 3A), Episcopal's Zara Griffith (Class 3A), Bishop Snyder's Shelby Gaines (Class 2A), Providence's Julianna Baskin, Kasey Davey and Kennedy Loux (Class 2A), NFEI's Jennell Houston and Sawsan Kamara (Class 1A), St. Johns Country Day's Kendall Proffitt (Class 1A), Fort White's Ya'Zuri Hollie and Jahlaya Wilson (Rural) and Hilliard's Alyssa Hallman and Charlee Matos (Rural).
Bishop Snyder shortstop Tripp Hannah committed to Florida Gulf Coast baseball, after de-committing from Oklahoma State earlier in the spring. Hannah is rated among the region's best fielders. … Fleming Island's Lauren Brosky committed to Florida International beach volleyball. … Atlantic Coast named Jason Acevedo head wrestling coach. … Episcopal named Diogo Quirino head boys soccer coach. … Harvest Community named Matt Crump head baseball coach. … Ridgeview named Dante Smith head girls basketball coach. … Trinity Christian named Christian Terrell head boys basketball coach. … Fort White promoted Derrick Roberson to head girls basketball coach after Bregay Harris stepped down, as reported first by the Lake City Reporter. … Former First Coast catcher Hunter Carns is entering the transfer portal from Florida State baseball, the Tallahassee Democrat reported. ... Seminole Ridge quarterback Aubrey Fogel was named Florida Dairy Farmers Miss Flag Football and Ruskin Lennard's Travis Combs won the flag football coach of the year award. … Boca Raton St. Andrew's junior Rafael Bote received the Florida Dairy Farmers Mr. Tennis Award, with Naples' Te'Anna Mata as Miss Tennis. … Doral Academy's Justin Puppo and Delray Beach American Heritage' Brian Schleifer won Florida Dairy Farmers tennis coach of the year honors. … Miami Columbus senior outside hitter Lucas Riva was named Florida Dairy Farmers Mr. Volleyball, and the Explorers' Daniel Thews also earned boys volleyball coach of the year. … Belen Jesuit junior distance runner Marcelo Mantecon was selected as Mr. Track and Tampa Catholic thrower J'Nia Simpson is the new Miss Track.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Raines edge rusher Troy Butler commits to Liberty Flames football
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It's the second week of June, and commitment season for high school football is running at full speed ahead, continuing with Butler's commitment on June 9 to Liberty. The Flames are three years removed from a Fiesta Bowl appearance.
A punishing and productive presence off the edge, the 6-2, 250-pound Butler played a crucial role in the Vikings' Florida High School Athletic Association Class 3A championship triumph over Miami Northwestern in December. He recorded 7 1/2 sacks as a Raines sophomore and 10 more as a junior, with tackle-for-loss tallies of 21 in 2024 and 25 in 2025.
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Butler, who also forced five fumbles as a junior, is rated as a three-star recruit in the 247Sports composite.
The Raines star's decision is just one of many this week around the First Coast, and not the only one for Liberty:
- Also joining the Liberty defensive front is Clay defensive lineman Jayshawn McCloud, who committed June 9. The 6-3, 250-pound McCloud recorded 75 tackles, 18 for loss, with 8 1/2 sacks and two forced fumbles in 2025. A three-sport athlete, he placed fourth in the 285-pound division for Class 2A wrestling and won a county shot put championship.
- Two-way athlete Kyree Wilson, who has transferred to University Christian, announced his commitment to Toledo. Wilson has rushed for 3,807 yards through two seasons at Christ's Church and one at Mandarin, also made 32 tackles and two sacks last year.
- Bradford two-way athlete Jordan Cason, a combination receiver and cornerback, is Big Ten-bound after committing June 9 to Northwestern. The 6-1, 180-pound Cason caught 32 passes for 435 yards and five touchdowns in 2025.
- Former Bradford offensive lineman Bryce Daniels, now at Gainesville Buchholz, announced his commitment to UAB. At 6-4, 320 pounds, Daniels was rated among North Florida's best last year and is most often projected at center.
- North of the state line, Camden County's four-star wide receiver Sean Green committed to Florida State in a quality pickup for Mike Norvell's Seminoles. Green, an elusive and consistent pass-catcher, has caught 89 passes for 1,156 yards and 14 touchdowns over the past two years.
- Brunswick announced not one, not two, but three commitments to start the week. Running back Nigel Gardner committed to Miami-Ohio, running back Josiah Gibbons selected Georgia Southern and defensive tackle Chozen Owens committed to Jacksonville State. Gibbons (1,288 yards) and Gardner (1,205 yards) both averaged double digits per carry in 2025.
- Ware County tight end Elan Jones also announced his commitment to Georgia Southern. The 6-7, 205-pound Jones, who previously played on defense, has experienced a rapid increase in recruiting interest over the spring.
Saucier named Florida softball's best
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Columbia head coach Joe Saucier was voted June 10 as the Florida Dairy Farmers Coach of the Year for softball, three weeks after leading the Tigers to their second state championship.
With a young squad at numerous positions, including freshman starters at pitcher and shortstop, Saucier helped the Tigers improve from 15-12 in 2025 to 29-3 in 2026, including a 16-game winning streak to end the season. Columbia defeated Lake Wales 3-2 for the Class 4A championship at Boombah-Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood.
Saucier is only the second Northeast Florida coach to win the award, following Oakleaf's Christina Thompson in 2017. University Christian's Keith Stroud was also among the coach of the year finalists.
In top player honors, Columbia shortstop Alannah Lord was named Class 4A player of the year, and University Christian pitcher Dixie Tessier won Class 1A player of the year.
The top statewide awards finished in a split for 2026: Pace pitcher Hannah DeMarcus won the Florida Dairy Farmers Miss Softball award, while Trenton pitcher Addison Allaire was selected as Gatorade Florida Softball Player of the Year.
Five locals among baseball honorees
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St. Johns Country Day strikeout king Brayden Harris won Class 1A baseball player of the year and Union County outfielder Jeffrey Brugh was selected as the top Rural player, both advancing to balloting for Florida Dairy Farmers Mr. Baseball.
Top coach honorees in their respective classes were Trinity Christian's Jon Murphy in Class 2A, St. Johns Country Day's Tom Lucas in Class 1A and Union County's Jiwan James in Rural. All three are now state coach of the year finalists.
Harris, signed with Florida State, repeated as state strikeout leader with 165, while going 12-2 with a 1.07 ERA and winning both the state semifinal and final. He batted .400 with seven home runs and 31 RBI as well.
Brugh batted .385 with seven doubles, 21 steals and 26 RBI for the Fightin' Tigers. He has committed to Glenville State.
Other locals placing high in the statewide vote were Clay pitcher Rylan McMahan (second in 4A), Trinity Christian shortstop Jordan Martinez (second in 2A) and Bishop Snyder pitcher Cole Dennis (third in 2A). Clay's Josh Persinger finished third among Class 4A coaches.
Only one player in Northeast Florida history, Bishop Kenny catcher Tony Richie in 2000, has received the Mr. Baseball award.
FABC squads honor Northeast Florida stars
The Florida Association of Basketball Coaches selected more than 30 Jacksonville-area players to its annual All-State teams.
Area boys selections were Tocoi Creek's King McFadden (Class 6A), Fleming Island's Carson Crawford (Class 5A), Ponte Vedra's Maddox Palmer (Class 5A), Bishop Kenny's Drew Jackson (Class 4A), Ribault's Brandon McCoy (Class 4A), Jackson's Langston Hackworth (Class 3A), Episcopal's Nolan Schwartz (Class 3A), Providence's William Stewart (Class 2A), Eagle's View's Justis Clements (Class 1A), Impact Christian's Ronald Clark (Class 1A), Fort White's Jayden Jackson (Rural) and Hilliard's King McMillian (Rural).
Girls honorees were Oakleaf's Brinkley Todd (Class 6A), Tocoi Creek's Audrey Beyer and Gabi Iturralde (Class 6A), Beachside's Morgan Cremen (Class 5A), Orange Park's Ella Crowe (Class 5A), Ponte Vedra's Jocelyn Hoffmann (Class 5A), Bishop Kenny's Kathleen Crawley (Class 4A), Bolles' Evie Freeman (Class 3A), Bradford's Ar'nayshia Griffin (Class 3A), Episcopal's Zara Griffith (Class 3A), Bishop Snyder's Shelby Gaines (Class 2A), Providence's Julianna Baskin, Kasey Davey and Kennedy Loux (Class 2A), NFEI's Jennell Houston and Sawsan Kamara (Class 1A), St. Johns Country Day's Kendall Proffitt (Class 1A), Fort White's Ya'Zuri Hollie and Jahlaya Wilson (Rural) and Hilliard's Alyssa Hallman and Charlee Matos (Rural).
Around the area
Bishop Snyder shortstop Tripp Hannah committed to Florida Gulf Coast baseball, after de-committing from Oklahoma State earlier in the spring. Hannah is rated among the region's best fielders. … Fleming Island's Lauren Brosky committed to Florida International beach volleyball. … Atlantic Coast named Jason Acevedo head wrestling coach. … Episcopal named Diogo Quirino head boys soccer coach. … Harvest Community named Matt Crump head baseball coach. … Ridgeview named Dante Smith head girls basketball coach. … Trinity Christian named Christian Terrell head boys basketball coach. … Fort White promoted Derrick Roberson to head girls basketball coach after Bregay Harris stepped down, as reported first by the Lake City Reporter. … Former First Coast catcher Hunter Carns is entering the transfer portal from Florida State baseball, the Tallahassee Democrat reported. ... Seminole Ridge quarterback Aubrey Fogel was named Florida Dairy Farmers Miss Flag Football and Ruskin Lennard's Travis Combs won the flag football coach of the year award. … Boca Raton St. Andrew's junior Rafael Bote received the Florida Dairy Farmers Mr. Tennis Award, with Naples' Te'Anna Mata as Miss Tennis. … Doral Academy's Justin Puppo and Delray Beach American Heritage' Brian Schleifer won Florida Dairy Farmers tennis coach of the year honors. … Miami Columbus senior outside hitter Lucas Riva was named Florida Dairy Farmers Mr. Volleyball, and the Explorers' Daniel Thews also earned boys volleyball coach of the year. … Belen Jesuit junior distance runner Marcelo Mantecon was selected as Mr. Track and Tampa Catholic thrower J'Nia Simpson is the new Miss Track.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Raines edge rusher Troy Butler commits to Liberty Flames football
Continue reading...
