Five Vicksburg High School players put their name on the dotted line Wednesday in hopes of becoming the next Malcolm Butler.
Four, including the Super Bowl star’s nephew signed letters of intent to play for junior colleges while one of their teammates one inked a deal with a Division II program in Tennessee.
Kareeme Butler, the Gators’ top receiver and nephew of Malcolm Butler, is following in his uncle’s footsteps to Hinds Community College. The younger Butler enrolled in classes at Hinds in December.
“I talked to my coach about letting me have the same number he had when he was up there,” Kareeme Butler said.
Malcolm Butler played at Hinds Community College and Division II West Alabama before joining the New England Patriots this past season as an undrafted free agent. His interception late in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XLIX sealed the win for the Patriots.
Kareeme Butler caught 45 passes for 865 yards and four touchdowns in his one season with the Gators. At t at Hinds he’s expected to move to defense, VHS coach Marcus Rogers said.
“They’re raving about him. He’s outworking the kids who are already there. They want him to come in and play day one,” Rogers said.
Defensive back Randy Taylor Jr. is joining the younger Butler at Hinds. He said he looked up to the former VHS player and Super Bowl star who started his college career in Raymond.
“If feels like nothing can stop me now It shows me it can be done as long as I work hard,” Taylor said.
Taylor expects to play corner, safety or outside linebacker.
“You want to have these dual threat guys going against these spread offenses,” Rogers said.
Quarterback Marquez Pickett signed a letter of intent to play with Lane College in Jackson, Tenn.  . He threw for 1,885 yards, with 12 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in his only full season as a starter. He was the backup quarterback for two seasons.
“He hasn’t gotten a lot of reps but he had his spurts in and out. For the most part if they get him on campus and get him on the strength and conditioning program, redshirt him and the kid could be a three or four year starter,” Rogers said.
Pickett, too, couldn’t help but talking about Malcolm Butler and his pride in being a VHS Gator.
“It was big to see somebody who made to the NFL and then with the Super Bowl winning pick. That’s mind-blowing,” Pickett said.
Keithan Hargo committed to Northwest Mississippi where he is expected to play defensive tackle. Like the other four junior college signees, Hargo said he was hoping for an opportunity to shine at the juco level and possibly get an offer from a Division I school
“I’ve got to continue to work to get to the next level,” he said.
Hargo logged a lot of playing time for the Gators, Rogers said.
“He’s a diamond in the rough. He wasn’t able to give us everything we needed because he was on offense, defense and all the special teams. Now northwest gets a kid that can go one way for 60 minutes. The sky’s the limit for him,” Rogers said.
After a season plagued by injuries, Marc Grace Jr. signed to play with Mississippi Delta. The senior kicker was one of VHS’ most athletic players, Rogers said.
“That’s a steal for the simple fact that the kids was under the radar,” Rogers said. “I told him if he goes and takes care of his business, a Division I school will come get him,” he said.
Grace injured his ankle early in the season against South Delta and was sidelined for several games.
“After I missed those couple games, I worked as hard as I could to get back and it paid off,” Grace said.