Hakeem Butler
{{Short description|American football player (born 1996)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Hakeem Butler
| image = Hakeem Butler (52735736698) (cropped).jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Butler with the St. Louis Battlehawks in 2023
| current_team =St. Louis Battlehawks
| number =88
| position = Wide receiver
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|5|16}}
| birth_place = Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 5
| weight_lb = 227
| high_school = Travis (TX)
| college = Iowa State (2015–2018)
| draftyear = 2019
| draftround = 4
| draftpick = 103
| pastteams =
- Arizona Cardinals ({{NFL Year|2019}})
- Carolina Panthers ({{NFL Year|2020}})*
- Philadelphia Eagles ({{NFL Year|2020}})
- BC Lions ({{CFL Year|2022}})*
- Edmonton Elks ({{CFL Year|2022}})*
- St. Louis Battlehawks ({{XFL Year|2023}})
- Pittsburgh Steelers ({{NFL Year|2023}})*
- St. Louis Battlehawks ({{UFL Year|2024}})
- Cincinnati Bengals ({{NFL Year|2024}})*
- St. Louis Battlehawks ({{UFL Year|2025}}–present)
| status =Active
| highlights =
- UFL Offensive Player of the Year (2024)
- All-UFL Team (2024)
- All-XFL Team (2023)
- UFL receiving yards leader (2024)
- Second-Team All-American (2018)
- Second-team All-Big 12 (2018)
| pfr = B/ButlHa00
}}
Hakeem Butler (born May 16, 1996) is an American professional football wide receiver for the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Iowa State, and was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL draft. He has also been a member of the Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles, BC Lions, Edmonton Elks, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Cincinnati Bengals.
Early life
Butler was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on May 16, 1996. His mother, Sherryl, died from breast cancer when Butler was 16. He has 1 sister and a younger brother. He then moved to Houston, Texas, to live with his aunt and uncle, and his cousins Aaron and Andrew Harrison, former Kentucky basketball stars. Butler attended Travis High School in Fort Bend, Texas.{{cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/college/football/bs-sp-hakeem-butler-iowa-state-20181106-story.html|title=Baltimore native Hakeem Butler grows into star at Iowa State, one highlight-reel catch at a time|first=Baltimore|last=Sun|website=baltimoresun.com|date=November 7, 2018 }} He committed to Iowa State University to play college football, choosing it over schools such as New Mexico and Houston.
College career
After redshirting his first year at Iowa State in 2015, Butler played in 11 games in 2016 and had nine receptions for 134 yards and two touchdowns. As a sophomore in 2017, he had 41 receptions for 697 yards and seven touchdowns.{{cite web|url=https://qctimes.com/sports/college/isu-cyclones/cyclones-butler-ready-to-build-off-breakout-season/article_68255e56-62f2-540e-8790-3fcb12ffd011.html|title=Cyclones' Butler ready to build off breakout season|first=Dylan Montz Ames|last=Tribune|website=The Quad-City Times|date=May 29, 2018 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/iowa-state/football/2018/08/07/iowa-state-football-hakeem-butler-ready-cyclones-no-1-receiver-allen-lazard-nfl-matt-campbell/925327002/|title='I want to be the best': Iowa State WR Hakeem Butler ready to be the No. 1 target|website=Des Moines Register}} As a junior in 2018, he had 60 receptions for 1,318 yards and nine touchdowns, breaking a school record for single season receiving yards.{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraphherald.com/sports/other_sports/article_8a536a3e-43c7-5edb-8f96-affb142ec3e4.html|title=College football: Butler on pace for historic Iowa State career|agency=Associated Press|website=TelegraphHerald.com}}{{cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/college/football/bs-sp-college-football-baltimore-native-hakeem-butler-iowa-state-nfl-20181220-story.html|title=Bowl game, NFL loom for Baltimore native, Iowa State wide receiver Hakeem Butler|first=Edward|last=Lee|website=baltimoresun.com|date=December 27, 2018 }} After the season, Butler decided to forgo his senior year and enter the 2019 NFL draft.
=College statistics=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | ||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! rowspan="2"| GP ! colspan=4| Receiving | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rec | Yards | Avg | TDs | |||
| 2016 | Iowa State | 8 | 9 | 134 | 14.9 | 2 |
| 2017 | Iowa State | 13 | 41 | 697 | 17.0 | 7 |
| 2018 | Iowa State | 13 | 60 | 1,318 | 22.0 | 9 |
| style="background:#555; font-weight:bold; color:white;"
| colspan=2 | Totals | 34 | 110 | 2,149 | 19.5 | 18 | |
| colspan="7" style="font-size:8pt; text-align:center;"|Reference:{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/hakeem-butler-1.html|title=Hakeem Butler College Stats - College Football at Sports-Reference.com|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}} |
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 5 3/8
| weight = 227
| dash = 4.48
| ten split = 1.51
| twenty split = 2.62
| shuttle = 4.16
| cone drill = 7.09
| vertical = 36
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 8
| bench = 18
| wonderlic =
| arm span = 35 1/4
| hand span = 10 3/4
| note = All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day{{Cite web | url = https://www.nfl.com/prospects/hakeem-butler/32004255-5416-1833-e211-34b9abca1909 | title = Hakeem Butler Draft and Combine Prospect Profile| work = NFL.com | date = April 28, 2019 | access-date = April 28, 2019}}{{Cite web |title=2019 NFL Draft Scout Hakeem Butler College Football Profile |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1026403&DraftYear=2019 |access-date=August 13, 2023 |website=DraftScout.com}}{{Cite web |url=https://insider.espn.com/nfl/draft/player/_/id/103546 |title=Hakeem Butler 2019 NFL Draft Profile |access-date=August 13, 2023 |website=insider.espn.com}}
}}
=Arizona Cardinals=
Butler was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round (103rd overall) in the 2019 NFL Draft.{{cite web|title=Cardinals add Iowa State WR Hakeem Butler at No. 103|url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001028559/article/cardinals-add-iowa-state-wr-hakeem-butler|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190429235950/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001028559/article/cardinals-add-iowa-state-wr-hakeem-butler|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 29, 2019|author=Patra, Kevin|website=NFL.com|date=April 27, 2019}} He was placed on injured reserve on August 25, 2019, after suffering a broken hand, causing him to miss his entire rookie season.
On September 4, 2020, Butler was waived by the Cardinals.{{cite web|title=Cardinals Begin Cuts; Hakeem Butler Among Released|url=https://www.azcardinals.com/news/cardinals-begin-cuts-hakeem-butler-among-released|author=Urban, Darren|website=AZCardinals.com|date=September 4, 2020|access-date=September 8, 2020}}
=Carolina Panthers=
On September 18, 2020, Butler was signed to the practice squad of the Carolina Panthers.{{cite web|title=Panthers sign WR Hakeem Butler to practice squad, release undrafted DT|url=https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/2020/09/18/panthers-hakeem-butler-practice-squad-myles-adams/|work=Panthers Wire|publisher=USA Today|date=September 18, 2020}}
=Philadelphia Eagles=
On September 29, 2020, Butler was signed to the Philadelphia Eagles active roster off the Panthers practice squad and converted to tight end.{{cite web|title=Eagles agree to sign TE Hakeem Butler; place TE Dallas Goedert on Injured Reserve|url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eagles-agree-to-sign-te-hakeem-butler-place-te-dallas-goedert-on-injured-reserve|author=McPherson, Chris|website=PhiladelphiaEagles.com|date=September 29, 2020}} He was waived on October 31, 2020,{{cite web|title=Roster Moves: Eagles activate LB T.J. Edwards, S Rudy Ford, TE Dallas Goedert, T Jason Peters, and WR Jalen Reagor from Injured Reserve|url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/roster-moves-eagles-activate-five-players-from-injured-reserve|author=McPherson, Chris|website=PhiladelphiaEagles.com|date=October 31, 2020}} and re-signed to the practice squad two days later.{{cite news |author=McPherson, Chris |title=Eagles sign TE Hakeem Butler and LB Rashad Smith to the practice squad |url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eagles-sign-te-hakeem-butler-and-lb-rashad-smith-to-the-practice-squad |website=PhiladelphiaEagles.com |date=November 2, 2020 |access-date=November 30, 2020}} He signed a reserve/future contract with the Eagles on January 4, 2021.{{cite web|title=Eagles agree to terms with DT T.Y. McGill; sign nine players to reserve/futures deals|url=https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/eagles-agree-to-terms-with-dt-ty-mcgill-sign-nine-players-to-futures-deals|author=McPherson, Chris|website=PhiladelphiaEagles.com|date=January 4, 2021}} He was waived on August 23, 2021.
= BC Lions =
On February 22, 2022, Butler signed with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL).{{Cite web|date=2022-02-22|title=Lions Sign Former Arizona Cardinals Draft Pick Hakeem Butler|url=https://www.bclions.com/2022/02/22/lions-sign-former-arizona-cardinals-draft-pick-hakeem-butler/|access-date=2022-02-23|website=BC Lions|language=en}} He was released in early round of cuts at training camp on May 23, 2022.{{cite web | url=https://3downnation.com/2022/05/23/b-c-lions-release-eight-players-including-recently-signed-canadian-defensive-back-jordan-hoover-and-former-nfl-player-hakeem-butler/ | title=B.C. Lions release eight players, including recently signed Canadian defensive back Jordan Hoover and former NFL player Hakeem Butler | date=23 May 2022 }}
= Edmonton Elks =
Butler was signed by the Edmonton Elks of the CFL on July 5, 2022, and placed on the team's practice roster.{{Cite web |author=3Down Staff |date=2022-07-05 |title=Edmonton Elks sign former fourth-round NFL draft pick Hakeem Butler |url=https://3downnation.com/2022/07/05/edmonton-elks-sign-former-fourth-round-nfl-draft-pick-hakeem-butler/ |access-date=2022-07-06 |website=3DownNation |language=en-US}} He was released on August 16, 2022.{{cite web | url=https://www.goelks.com/2022/08/16/transactions-elks-sign-mclaurin-db/ | title=TRANSACTIONS {{pipe}} Elks sign McLaurin (DB) | date=16 August 2022 }}
=St. Louis Battlehawks (first stint)=
On January 1, 2023, Butler was selected by the St. Louis BattleHawks of the XFL in the fifth round of the 2023 XFL Supplemental Draft.{{Cite web |title=Supplemental Draft Picks |url=https://www.xfl.com/supplemental-draft-2023 |access-date=2023-01-02 |website=www.xfl.com |language=en}} At the completion of the season for the BattleHawks, Butler made 51 receptions for 599 yards and eight touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=XFL Football Scores - XFL Scoreboard |url=https://www.espn.com/xfl/scoreboard |access-date=2023-04-30 |website=ESPN |language=en}} He was released from his contract on May 15, 2023.{{cite web |title=XFL Transactions |url=https://www.xfl.com/xfl-transactions |access-date=May 18, 2023}}
=Pittsburgh Steelers=
On May 16, 2023, Butler signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers.{{Cite web |last=Strackbein |first=Noah |date=2023-05-16 |title=Steelers Sign XFL WR Hakeem Butler |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/steelers/news/pittsburgh-steelers-sign-xfl-hakeem-butler |access-date=2023-05-16 |website=Sports Illustrated Pittsburgh Steelers News, Analysis and More |language=en}} He was waived/injured on August 21, and then reverted to injured reserve. Butler was released on August 25.
= St. Louis Battlehawks (second stint) =
On December 4, 2023, Butler re-signed with the Battlehawks.{{Cite web |title=XFL Transactions |url=https://www.xfl.com/xfl-transactions |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=www.xfl.com |language=en}} He was named to the 2024 All-UFL team on June 5, 2024.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-05 |title=UFL Announces Inaugural All-UFL Team |url=https://www.theufl.com/news/2024/june/05/ufl-announces-inaugural-all-ufl-team |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=www.theufl.com |language=en}} On June 7, 2024 he was named the UFL Offensive Player of the Year. {{cite web |title=St. Louis Battlehawks Wide Receiver Hakeem Butler Named UFL Offensive Player of the Year |url=https://www.theufl.com/news/2024/june/07/st-louis-battlehawks-wide-receiver-hakeem-butler-named-offensive-player-of-the-year |website=The UFL |access-date=30 December 2024}} Butler finished the season with 652 receiving yards, 45 receptions, and 5 Touchdowns.
= Cincinnati Bengals =
On July 26, 2024, Butler signed with the Cincinnati Bengals.{{Cite web |title=Bengals Sign Three Free Agents |url=https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-sign-three-free-agents |access-date=2024-07-26 |website=Bengals.com |language=en-US}} On August 23, 2024, Butler was released.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-23 |title=Hakeem Butler: Sent packing |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/hakeem-butler-sent-packing/ |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}
= St. Louis Battlehawks (third stint) =
On January 2, 2025, Butler re-signed with the Battlehawks.{{Cite web |title=UFL Transactions |url=https://uflboard.com/ufl-transactions/ |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=UFLBoard.com |language=en-US}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://cyclones.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=9756 Iowa State Cyclones bio]
{{Arizona Cardinals 2019 draft navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Butler, Hakeem}}
Category:Players of American football from Baltimore
Category:American football wide receivers
Category:Iowa State Cyclones football players
Category:Arizona Cardinals players
Category:Carolina Panthers players
Category:Philadelphia Eagles players
Category:Edmonton Elks players
Category:St. Louis Battlehawks players
Category:Pittsburgh Steelers players
Category:Canadian football wide receivers