Last January, Ayeni left Iowa State for Northwestern.īutler’s growth as a player runs concurrent to his standing among his teammates. Ayeni stayed on staff when Campbell was hired, and Butler remained close to him. By the end of the season, head coach Paul Rhoads and his staff were fired. It was a different experience for me, and I wanted to feel something different.”Īs he transitioned from raw athlete to full-fledged wide receiver, Butler redshirted in 2015. “It was just an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.
“I had a great connection with coach Lou, and that’s going to be my dude forever,” Butler said. The Cyclones were the only Power 5 school to offer Butler, and he accepted. Several mid-major programs sought Butler when former Iowa State running backs coach Lou Ayeni made a recruiting push in 2014. Butler competed in both football and basketball in high school and acknowledged his twin cousins are better at basketball than him. Butler’s first cousins - with whom he lived - are Aaron and Andrew Harrison, who played basketball at Kentucky and now are playing professionally. but relocated to Houston and moved in with his aunt and uncle after his mother died of cancer in 2012. He originally grew up in Washington, D.C. He’s a player we’re going to look out for.”īutler’s silky skills on the football field belie his real-life challenges. “He’s a good player,” Iowa safety Amani Hooker said.
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Later, with the score tied and less than five minutes left in regulation, Butler evaded a chuck from the linebacker, sprinted past the free safety and hauled in a 74-yard touchdown strike to retake the lead. With the Cyclones trailing by four points late in the third quarter and facing fourth-and-1 at the Hawkeyes’ 30, Butler slipped past the Iowa defense for a quick pass over the middle and raced untouched for a touchdown to take the lead. How do you become in that consistency level, continue to take that up another level?”īutler turned his potential into productivity last year against Iowa. “I think for him, it’s confidence in his game. “You’re talking about a guy with explosive plays, plays downfield, maybe was the best guy on our football team last year doing that for us,” Iowa State coach Matt Campbell said. He totaled 41 receptions for 697 yards and seven scores. Butler had four touchdowns catches beyond 50 yards last year.
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Butler still made a one-armed catch, shook off the defender plus another and raced into the end zone for a 67-yard touchdown reception. Quarterback Zeb Noland threw deep and the ball went over Butler’s left shoulder, where a Baylor defender was draped over him. With the game tied approaching halftime, Butler lined up in the left slot and raced down the field on a seam route. Butler pulled off one of the catches of the year at Baylor. He is a freak.”īutler showcased big-play potential multiple times last year opposite all-time Iowa State leading receiver Allen Lazard. “I’m excited to see what he can do in the Big 12.
“They don’t got a chance,” said Iowa State cornerback Brian Peavy, a First Team All-Big 12 cornerback, said of defensive backs guarding Butler.
Add in his power and ever-sharpening repertoire of moves, and Butler is one of the nation’s most dangerous receivers to defend. I think the speed has always been there it’s just the technique.”īutler carries a slender frame and blends rare ball skills with great hand-eye coordination. But I creep up on you, and then I’m gone by you in a flash. “A lot of people don’t see it or believe it because I’m so tall.
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