Button, Veltkamp sign to play college football
Published 5:09 am Thursday, December 5, 2024
South Warren High School seniors Colton Veltkamp (left) and Bryce Button (right) sign to play college football for Georgia Southern University and Eastern Michigan University, respectively, at SWHS on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
South Warren High School seniors Colton Veltkamp (left) and Bryce Button (right) sign to play college football for Georgia Southern University and Eastern Michigan University, respectively, at SWHS on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
South Warren High School Head Football Coach Brandon Smith speaks about seniors Colton Veltkamp and Bryce Button as they get ready to sign to play college football for Georgia Southern University and Eastern Michigan University, respectively, at SWHS on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Colton Veltkamp shares his gratitude as he gets ready to sign to play college football for Georgia Southern University, while his teammate Bryce Button signed to play for Eastern Michigan University, at SWHS on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Colton Veltkamp signs to play college football for Georgia Southern University, while his teammate Bryce Button signed to play for Eastern Michigan University, at SWHS on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Colton Veltkamp signs to play college football for Georgia Southern University, while his teammate Bryce Button signed to play for Eastern Michigan University, at SWHS on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Bryce Button shares his gratitude as he gets ready to sign to play college football for Eastern Michigan University, while his teammate Colton Veltkamp signed to play for Georgia Southern University, at SWHS on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Bryce Button signs to play college football for Eastern Michigan University, while his teammate Colton Veltkamp signed to play for Georgia Southern University, at SWHS on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Bryce Button signs to play college football for Eastern Michigan University, while his teammate Colton Veltkamp signed to play for Georgia Southern University, at SWHS on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Two Spartans became Eagles Wednesday with South Warren’s Bryce Button and Colton Veltkamp both signing letters of intent to play college football.
Button signed with Eastern Michigan University, while Veltkamp is headed to Georgia Southern University.
“It means a lot,” Button said. “Just thinking about all the hard work I’ve put in. It feels great to get to this point.”
Veltkamp agreed that signing to play college football meant a lot.
“I’m excited,” Veltkamp said. “It’s been a dream of mine since I was younger. I got to watch my brother (WKU quarterback Caden Veltkamp) live that dream that he had and I was like, ‘I’m next.’ To get to fulfill that is awesome.”
Button said it felt good to share the day with Veltkamp.
“Me and Colton have put in a lot of hard work together,” Button said. “When nobody else wanted to, I could call him up and we’d just go out there and be by ourselves. It means a lot to be up here with him and I am really happy for us.”
A three-year starter at quarterback, Button threw for 2,853 yards and 39 touchdowns, while adding 257 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground.
He said he chose Eastern Michigan because of its family environment feel.
“When I went up there it felt like home,” Button said. “I really loved the program. (Eastern Michigan) was really consistent with my recruiting. It just felt right.”
Button said it was a relief to sign, adding he plans to play basketball with South Warren before heading to Eastern Michigan.
“It’s a big relief,” Button said. “It’s definitely a hard process. I’m just going to enjoy my time here and then be ready to go on up there.”
Veltkamp shined on both ends of the ball. He caught 42 passes for 584 yards and 11 scores, while adding 79 tackles and an interception.
Like Button, Veltkamp said he chose Georgia Southern because of the family environment.
“When I went down on my visit, it’s the family feel — the community feel,” Veltkamp said. “I loved the coaching staff and the players. Their fan base is incredible and I just fell in love with it as a whole.”
Veltkamp plans on graduating early and joining Georgia Southern next month, where he will play as a defensive end.
“I’m extremely excited,” Veltkamp said. “I get to go back to work and get ready for another season of football. I am just ready to be focused on one thing, not have to worry about the recruiting process. It’s good to be done with the recruiting process and just be focused on playing football.”
About Micheal Compton
I am a sports reporter and movie critic for the Bowling Green Daily News.
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