Three Beaver Area High School senior male athletes have committed to play Division I sports. (We also have three female D-I commits—look for their story in an upcoming ECHO.)

Amari Jackson, Brady Mayo and Ty Butler will be taking their academic and athletic careers to the next level next fall.

Amari Jackson-Villanova University

Jackson’s dream of playing football started as a young boy. He was always around it and witnessed some of the greatest players from this area go pro.

When asked about who inspired Jackson as a kid he said, “My older cousins. I was always with them and watched them practice and play and that made me want to do the same. Also Darrelle Revis; he is a Western Pennsylvania legend who made it all the way and won a Super Bowl and is one of the greatest cornerbacks of all time.”

Jackson’s love and devotion to the game motivated him to play Division I football. Jackson also said that his journey of football has had many ups and downs. For one thing, the recruiting process was slow. But he said he always kept his hope alive for a good outcome.

That hope worked. In the beginning of Jackson’s junior year he sent his film to Villanova University not knowing if he’d even get a response but hoping for the best.

Sooner than later Villanova contacted Jackson and set up a campus visit during Jackson’s junior year.

“The visit was great. The school and facilities and all the coaches and trainers were very welcoming,” he said.

Jackson was officially offered a full scholarship by the spring of junior year.

Other offers followed from schools like Bowling Green University, Fordham University, University of Maine, and Robert Morris University. But his final decision was made upon entering his senior year. Jackson officially committed to Villanova University to continue his academic and athletic career.

Jackson’s hope and his love for the game brought him an opportunity and might take him even further.

“I want to make it to the NFL,” Jackson said about his future.

Brady Mayo-Bucknell University

Mayo is a stellar multi-sport athlete. In his junior year he made a name for himself on the gridiron and on the basketball court. He surpassed 1,000 points in basketball his junior year while being recruited for football.

Mayo said that playing football has made him a better person—football has taught him many life lessons: caring for his physical body, being a loyal teammate, and creating many life-long memories.

Many were surprised by his commitment to play college football and not basketball, even Mayo said he was too a bit and that it was a very hard decision. Basketball was his first sport and first love, but football just had better opportunities for him personally he said. But he does plan on trying to participate as a basketball walk-on at Bucknell.

Through Mayo’s life he has had one inspiration: his father.

“My dad has taught me everything, whether it was basketball, football, or just life. He has been my number-one supporter and my best friend.”

Mayo was originally contacted by Bucknell’s Defensive Back coach after the Bobcats’ 2023 season wrapped up. His first official campus visit was in June.

Weeks later Mayo got an official offer to play at Bucknell University.

“The school fit with what I was looking for; good education, good staff and the Patriot League is a great competitive league to play in,” Mayo said.

Mayo’s goals for his future is to enjoy four years of playing high-level football and to graduate from Bucknell with a bachelor’s degree. Mayo also has dreams of returning to the game of basketball after college perhaps playing overseas.

Ty Butler-Gardner-Webb University

Butler is also a multi-sport athlete. Butler is a three-year letterman in both baseball and basketball. Butler also received an offer from Slippery Rock University.

Butler has been playing competitive baseball since age 5. As a kid Butler looked up to Andrew McCutchen, who is a Pittsburgh Pirate legend.

Butler really saw a future for himself after his freshman year. He was a big factor in the Bobcat’s successful season and playoff appearance that season. Butler worked hard and had a big role as the only freshman on varsity.

Butler said, “My mentality is to be the best of the best and to win at any cost, and I truly believe that’s why I have the opportunities I have today.”

In the spring of his junior year Butler attended a camp at Gardner-Webb University in North Carolina with no expectations but just to play his game. Butler performed extremely well he said and got an official offer the same day.

Butler is grateful for his opportunities but gives a lot of the credit to his parents.

“My parents have always been my biggest supporters; they pushed me hard on the field and in the classroom. They sacrificed a lot for me to accomplish my dreams, and none of this would be possible without them,” Butler said.

Butler dreams of playing Major League Baseball (MLB) one day.

Butler proclaimed: “I want to make a name for myself.”

Big shoutout to these three outstanding athletes and young men, and best of luck in your future academic and athletic careers!