Even players for champion Dutch Fork are struggling with recruiting challenges

Posted 1/26/23

Talented high school senior prospects are experiencing a “college squeeze,” increasing the challenge for those looking to play football at the next level.

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Even players for champion Dutch Fork are struggling with recruiting challenges

Posted

Talented high school senior prospects are experiencing a “college squeeze,” increasing the challenge for those looking to play football at the next level.

The Chronicle recently caught up with coaches at local high schools who pointed to the way the extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA due to COVID-19 and the way now-allowed name, image and likeness deals are encouraging star players to stay in school are limiting the opportunities available to those looking to join the college ranks.

And it would appear this is true even for Class 5A champion Dutch Fork High School. In recent years, the likes of current Buffalo Bills’ placekicker Tyler Bass, wide receivers Jalin Hyatt, Elliott Spencer and Antonio Williams, safety Bryce Thompson and linebacker Hugh Ryan have emerged from the Irmo institution to excel at the next level. 

For every Jarvis Green, Landon Danley and Chandler Perry signed this year, however, there are a significant number of standout Silver Foxes who are still seeking interest at the next level.

Defensive lineman Jaylen Hinton and linebacker John Buetow are among them. Both players were major contributors for a defense which over the past four seasons shut out 20 opponents and during this past championship run held its playoff opponents to 17.5 points per game. 

“Our program is very team oriented and it’s not a program that allows anyone to do their own thing,” Buetow said. “You must stay within our scheme in order for it to be successful. I think that plays a big part in a lot of recruiting because it’s all 11 guys working together instead of relying on one man to make all the plays.”

“It is a little weird, but it is what it is,” Hinton said. “You know, it’s just how the recruiting process goes. The whole thing is weird.”

What’s not weird was Hinton’s contributions to Dutch Fork. His 147 total tackles led the team to go with nine sacks eight quarterback hurries, five pass breakups and an interception. 

While having received interest from small colleges like Benedict, Savannah State, Presbyterian, UNC-Pembroke and Catawba, he’s seen transfer portal players draw more appeal than the high school seniors. Hinton believes his talents are just as invaluable to a college program than a perceived developed underclassman. 

“I’m offering college programs my knowledge of the game,” he said. “I’m going to go into film room and going to put extra work in. I’m going to put extra work in. I’m going to put effort in and I’m going to bring a program, you know, a work harder. And that’s why every program needs, a hard worker.” 

At linebacker, Buetow was second on Dutch Fork in tackles (100) and sacks (five), but led the team in tackles for loss (17). He believes his 5’ 10” height is something that has also shied away recruiters, but a glance at his game film should erase any doubts. 

“I’m a very physical player who’s not scared of contact,” Buetow said. “I love to learn and am very coachable. Especially having been in this program, anyone who comes out of here is going to be college ready.” 

He added playing under head coach Tom Knotts was the closest thing to a “college experience.”

“The structure of our program that TK has created is that of a college team,” Buetow said. “The amount of film, lifting, and practice we put in is right up there with a college team. So, when any of us go to college it’s not overwhelming by any stretch of the imagination, because we’ve all been exposed to it already.” 

National signing day for college football is Feb. 1.

Thomas Grant Jr. | Chronicle
Dutch Fork defensive lineman Jaylen Hinton

Jaylen Hyatt, Dutch Fork, John Buetow

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