BUTTE VALLEY — The Butte College football team’s highest recruited player from the 2023 season has found his home at the four-year level.
Inside linebacker Aiden Sullivan signed his letter of intent to continue his academic and athletic career at Division I Oregon State University at a ceremony Wednesday at Butte College.
“It doesn’t really feel real, even though you have options to go to this place or this place. It doesn’t really feel real until you get there because where I come from I would’ve never thought to be a part of something great like that,” Sullivan said Wednesday. “It’s always a dream to play Division I, but to see it in person and have the opportunity it’s just crazy.”
Sullivan had many different D-I offers on the table, but his final visit was with Oregon State and the Beavers won him over. Sullivan’s offers included San Diego State, Washington State, Cal, Eastern Michigan, Florida International, UC Davis, Northern Alabama and Wyoming.
He went in with an open mind to all, but said the areas of emphasis he was looking for were a coach he could build a bond with and respect, and teammates he got along with.
“I’m just excited for the change and completely different from everything I’ve experienced in my life. I’m grateful and I’m ready for a change,” Sullivan said.
Sullivan started 21 of his 22 games played in his two seasons as a Roadrunner, and was runner up in Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore.
His freshman year he was seventh in the state in tackles for lost (17.5) and his sophomore season he was tied for eighth in tackles for loss (19.5). His sophomore season he fourth in the NorCal Conference with 7.5 tackles for loss, second in total tackles (82) and tied for first in the conference in tackles for loss.
He finished his sophomore season with All State/All Region honors, as well as being named All American/All State.
“I think anytime you watch guys at any level and you see them moving at a different speed, whether it’s high school, college or NFL, when guys are moving at a different speed than anyone else and that’s just how he plays,” said Roadrunners’ coach Robby Snelling. “I think of Fred Warner from the 49ers. He plays at a different speed. He plays in that way. He’s extremely aggressive, sideline to sideline guy, plays violent, very physical and smart.”
Snelling mentioned how Sullivan didn’t always appear in the stat sheet on certain plays, but constantly made an impact while forcing pressure on the quarterback.
“Making plays like that don’t show up in the stat column, but watching it live or on film you see it,” Snelling said. “He just impacts the game so much with everything he does.”
Since coming to Butte as a freshman from Twentynine Palms High School near Palm Springs, Sullivan has put in a tremendous amount of work to get him where he is today. His cardio has increased significantly, he’s put on between 15-20 pounds of muscle and bench presses over 100 pounds more than when he got to Butte College (now 325).
“Coming here it was definitely a grind because I wasn’t very good when I got here. Going to the next level I’m expecting the same thing,” Sullivan said. “I’m expecting to go in there and get the grind going and I’m going to have a lot of work to do to get to the level I want to.”
When asked about his favorite memories as a Roadrunner, Sullivan talked about the brotherhood that so many Roadrunners speak to.
“Coming into Butte College I didn’t really know anybody here. Now coming from then to having all my close and best friends, and coaches too I’m close with,” Sullivan said. “That’s probably my favorite memory is having them around and the relationships I’ve built with them.”
Sullivan thanked his coaching staff, specifically Snelling, defensive coordinator JJ Rodriguez and his position coach Cole Flores. He and the inside linebacker coach Flores have grown close in the last two years. Flores recruited Sullivan out of high school, after Sullivan initially committed to a smaller school.
“He’s taught me a lot. Everything I’ve learned I got from him and I’m grateful to have him in my life,” Sullivan said of Flores.
Sullivan has worked hard in the classroom at Butte College, completing summer and winter classes and has now finished his associate’s degree in one and a half years. He leaves for Oregon State this week and will major in kinesiology.
