Interview: 2020 Reseda Dual-Threat Trent Butler is Coming into His Own
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
With so many high-profile teams in Southern California, many teams, and players alike, with great talent can be overshadowed. One of the growing senior talents in the Los Angeles area that has been missed is Reseda quarterback Trent Butler. The rising dual-threat showed what he could do in Agoura Hills offense last season throwing for 2,085 yards with 20 scores while rushing for 194 with two trips into the end zone. Running a Spread/RPO attack with the Regents, Butler is coming into his own. The 5-11, 183-pound, field general has hit 103 of 166 passes this season for 1,767 yards with 14 touchdowns and has rushed for 200 with three more touchdowns leading his team to an 8-3 record.
The Regents play their last game of the regular season on Friday with a road trip to Van Nuys. For an update on his senior campaign and emerging recruiting prospects, we get together for a one-on-one conversation.
*Click link for RNG video interview with Trent Butler
Interview
Trent, all senior seasons are important. How did you prepare for the grind Reseda was going to take on in 2019?
“I worked a lot in the offseason on my craft. Learning more about the game was important, reading defenses; that was a big part of it. Getting physically ready was another part of it. Last year was my first time to take over at the varsity level. I am at a really good spot now with my overall abilities. I am stronger, heavier, and I prepared hard for this season. I have gelled with my guys. We have gelled well together and we are having a good season.”
With your technique, where are you showing the biggest improvements on the field after all the hard work put into your game over the offseason?
“This season, I am playing looser. Last year, being in that system, I was in a spot where you have to throw to a route and with the timing of the route. I am more comfortable this year. I am thankful to my head coach for that. I can play my game this year, which is helping my development. It is a good system for me. I am making throws in an outside the pocket. I have gotten good at the no-look pass. I am trying stuff this year I would have never thought about last year.”
What style of offense are the Regents running this season?
“We are in a Spread. We like to air it out. Everything we do is based on what our coaches are seeing. If I have an idea, I can give him the input. We do run some pro-sets.”
How does the offense fit your skillset?
“For me, it fits perfectly. Given the plays we have and the design of the plays, and we have some QB runs, that gives me opportunity to do more with RPOs (run-pass option); that part of the offense has been good for me. We take lot of vertical shots. Last year, we ran more underneath and quick game stuff, which we have here but we will take shots deep. When we get around the 50-yard line, we will take a shot on you.”
For any given game, how are you preparing to lead your time into battle during the week?
“I treat every week the same. I pay attention to who we are playing but I practice the same way. I try to turn it up in practice and get my guys on the same page. You are playing against guys wanting to win as well, you can’t be complacent. I tell the guys “we have a game this week, let’s go do our job.”
Are you watching Hudl game film to get ready for games?
“I watch a lot of Hudl, but teams play us differently because we throw the ball a lot. They play us different because no one passes like us. They are playing us over the top in ways they would not against other teams. Early on, it was frustrating because we were not seeing the same defenses in the games that we saw on film, but we are used to it now.”
Of the games played, which has been your best so far?
“Last week against Panorama was my best game (won 41-0). Having all our guys for the first time was huge. We have dealt with injuries and suspension from on the field stuff (targeting). Dranel Rhodes was back; that was huge for me. He is a baller. This last week is exactly what I’ve been wanting to do all season. We’ve had a lot of sophomores stepping up after guys going down with injuries, but it has been great to throw to the guys who are back and let them make plays.”
Turning to recruiting, which schools are showing interest?
“I am talking a lot to Sacramento State, Drake, University of San Diego, Portland State, and I still talk with Washington State, but they have their QB commit (Jayden de Laura). I have started talking to Cal-Poly again.”
With all the interest, have you taken any visits over the past few months going back to the summer?
“Over the summer, I took some Ivy League visits to Columbia and Cornell; those were fun visits. My mom and I, we had a good time. I am still talking to Cornell. I went to Drake, that was a really good trip. The staff loves me over there. They usually do not offer until after the player’s senior year. I have been to San Diego as well.”
Are you taking any visits coming up?
“I would like to see Portland State and Sac State but nothing is planned yet.”
Grades are an important part of the process, what is your cumulative GPA?
“My regular cumulative GPA is a 3.64 and my NCAA core is a 3.42.”
Nice. Last couple questions are about football. The team is on a two-game winning streak, how is the team looking as the regular season is winding down?
“Honestly, we are coming into our own now. As a team, we have matured so much since the first game. It is awesome to see us coming together. Once the playoffs hit, everyone will be locked in. We have a common goal of a championship and we believe it can happen. We are in a great spot going into the playoffs. We need to do our job and follow our coaches plan. I think we have a great shot of winning it all.”
Van Nuys (0-7) is the final game of the regular season, what do you expect from the Wolves’ defense on Friday?
“I expect them to bring pressure. Seeing their film, they bring pressure. But I don’t think they will bring anything we have not seen. They have a lot of heart on defense. I prepare each week for every team the same way. I treat them all the same way.”
Trent, it was great catching up with you today. I appreciate your time and wish you and the team continued success.
“Thank you.”
Photo credits: Reseda High School; Trent Butler