Jaden Butler Visits Indiana, Leaves Impressed After Junior Day Experience
Indiana football hosted a key target over the weekend, and it sounds like the Hoosiers made a strong impression. Jaden Butler, a versatile three-star athlete out of Haywood High School in Brownsville, Tennessee, was in Bloomington for a junior day event - and he walked away feeling like it could be a future home.
At 6 feet tall and 180 pounds, Butler is the kind of multi-dimensional player who turns heads on both sides of the ball. But Indiana has a specific vision for him: safety. And judging by his junior-year production, that’s a role he’s more than capable of filling.
In 2025 recruiting circles, Butler is already making noise. He’s the No. 17 player in Tennessee and the No. 36 athlete nationally, per 247Sports. His junior season stats back that up: 40 tackles, six interceptions, three tackles for loss, and a forced fumble - all while contributing heavily on offense with over 1,000 total yards and 20 touchdowns.
Butler was on campus for Indiana’s National Championship Celebration at Memorial Stadium, a moment that clearly resonated with him. “The visit was great,” he said.
“I really enjoyed it. I could see myself playing there.”
He also took a moment to recognize the Hoosiers’ recent success, offering praise to the 2025 squad. “Congrats to those guys. They worked hard and earned it,” Butler said.
While his recruitment is still wide open - he hasn’t trimmed his list or named a top five - Butler has a timeline in mind. “I would like to be committed before my senior year,” he shared, aiming for a decision by the end of summer.
Indiana is certainly in the mix, and Butler made it clear the Hoosiers are coming after him hard. “The message from the coaches was to grind and don’t stop until you reached what you wanted in life,” he said. “Indiana is recruiting me very hard.”
That message seems to be hitting home with a player who’s already shown leadership growth and two-way dominance. Even though his junior year ended earlier than he hoped - a first-round playoff exit - Butler took pride in his development as a leader.
With offers from a wide range of Power Five programs including Arkansas, Duke, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and Purdue, Butler’s recruitment will be one to watch. But after a successful weekend in Bloomington, Indiana has positioned itself as a serious contender for one of Tennessee’s top prospects.