Malcolm Butler, Ricardo Lockette

New England Patriots strong safety Malcolm Butler (21) intercepts a pass in front of Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Ricardo Lockette (83) during the second half of NFL Super Bowl XLIX football game Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Malcolm Butler was a big part of West Alabama's recruiting pitch long before the Super Bowl.

The fact Butler, an undrafted rookie, even made the New England Patriots' 53-man roster this year from the Division-II school was enough of a selling point.

"They had told me multiple times that he was one of their players who made it to the NFL and it was possible," said Prattville receiver Seth Knotts, who signed with West Alabama on Wednesday. "They were definitely selling that it was possible."

West Alabama coach Brett Gilliland did everything he could to get out the message about Butler to prospective recruits during the NFL playoffs. As the Patriots stormed through the playoffs en route to the Super Bowl, Gilliland stressed to players "That could be you."

Then the Super Bowl happened. If you've somehow been living under a rock for the last week, Butler emerged as a Super Bowl hero when a late-game interception on the goalline secured the Patriots victory against the Seattle Seahawks.

Butler immediately became a media phenomenon. Every major media outlet in the country talked about him and his journey from Popeye's to junior college to West Alabama, and finally, the NFL. Butler even presented the Best Rock Album to Beck at the Grammy Awards on Sunday.

Most importantly for Gilliland, Butler proved everything he has been pitching to recruits.

"We've always said you can reach all of your dreams from West Alabama and Malcolm solidified that," Gilliland said. "That is the pinnacle of what anyone's football dream would be. He validated and solidified what we've already been preaching."

The West Alabama coach isn't sure if Butler helped his school land any recruits -- the Super Bowl happened a mere three days before signing day -- but he's undoubtedly seen an impact for future classes.

The days after National Signing Day are usually a quiet time for Gilliland.

Not this year.

The emails, phone calls and highlight tapes keep flooding in -- recruits from around the country are interested in the school in Livingston, Alabama made famous by Butler. Knotts has no doubts that Butler's story will attract more players to the school.

"It's definitely going to help a lot," he said. "He showed everybody it's possible."

Gilliland and his staff are doing their best to make their moment in the sun count. Never has the small Alabama school, with a stadium that seats 7,000, received this much publicity.

He's done countless interviews, cut highlight tapes to send to CNN and maintained a steady presence on social media.

All because of one player who might have drastically changed the trajectory of West Alabama.

"I think it validated our program," Gilliland said. "I think we'll see the repercussions...for years to come."