Donte’ Botley is on the rise.
The Kinder High defensive back is coming off a strong sophomore season in which he recorded 51 tackles and earned District 5-2A first-team honors. Botley decided to work on his development by attending a camp this summer in Vanderbilt, Texas.
“I wanted to perfect my craft,” Botley said. “It helped me a little bit more.”
That camp experience led the 16-year-old Botley to be invited to take part in the Dream All-American Bowl and Rising Stars Game held at two different NFL stadiums – SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California (home of the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers) and at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas (home of the Dallas Cowboys).
Each bowl spotlights the nation’s top 180 prospects in the nation and serves as a platform for prospects to showcase their talents to college programs.
“It is a great opportunity for him,” Kinder football coach Bret Fuselier said. “He was a steady player for us last year, someone we had trust in and proved to be a playmaker for us.”
Botley is versatile as he lines up at both safety and cornerback for the Yellow Jackets. He is hoping the Dream All-American Bowl this coming December and January will help further his development into a coveted college prospect.
“It is just a really good experience for him to be chosen to participate among some of the best players in the area,” Fuselier said.
When asked what advice he would give to the younger players, Botley shared the advice he received from the older players and coaches at Kinder High when he first started there.
“Watch and learn from the upperclassmen,” Botley said. “Be patient.”
Botley’s mom Tawaneisha said that despite his quiet persona, he is a good leader.
“Everybody is always looking up to him,” Tawaneisha said. “They are always calling his name.”
Botley, who maintains a 3.5 GPA, is looking forward to one day earning a scholarship to play college football, eventually playing in the pros and then afterwards becoming a real estate agent.
For right now, he is focused on the upcoming season and helping the Yellow Jackets win a state title.
“Football will always be in my heart,” Botley said. “I’d rather be playing football than anything else.”
Besides averaging a 3.5 GPA his freshman year and sophomore year while playing football, he was named the all-district defensive back his sophomore year, and Botley is among the top three leaders in tackles on the Kinder team. He received the “Coaches Award” for being one of the hardest workers on and off the field and the most coachable player. He also received the “No fly zone” award for having the most pass break-ups on the team.
Botley is also the grandson of Barbara Lavan and Herbert Lavan of Kinder, and the late Villmon Botley Sr. and Gabriel Woods Sr. of Elton.
