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Hakeem Butler
Hakeem Butler
from Wikipedia

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.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

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.[1] He committed to Iowa State University to play college football, choosing it over schools such as New Mexico and Houston.

College career

[edit]

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.[2][3] 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.[4][5] After the season, Butler decided to forgo his senior year and enter the 2019 NFL draft.

Statistics

[edit]
Season Team Games Receiving
GP GS Rec Yds Avg TD
2015 Iowa State 0 0 Redshirt Redshirt
2016 Iowa State 11 1 9 134 14.9 2
2017 Iowa State 12 5 41 697 17.0 7
2018 Iowa State 13 13 60 1,318 22.0 9
Career 36 19 110 2,149 19.5 18

Professional career

[edit]
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 5+38 in
(1.97 m)
227 lb
(103 kg)
35+14 in
(0.90 m)
10+34 in
(0.27 m)
4.48 s 1.51 s 2.62 s 4.16 s 7.09 s 36 in
(0.91 m)
10 ft 8 in
(3.25 m)
18 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[6][7][8]

Arizona Cardinals

[edit]

Butler was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round (103rd overall) in the 2019 NFL Draft.[9] He was placed on injured reserve on August 25, 2019, after suffering a broken hand, causing him to miss his entire rookie season.[10]

On September 4, 2020, Butler was waived by the Cardinals.[10]

Carolina Panthers

[edit]

On September 18, 2020, Butler was signed to the practice squad of the Carolina Panthers.[11]

Philadelphia Eagles

[edit]

On September 29, 2020, Butler was signed to the Philadelphia Eagles active roster off the Panthers practice squad and converted to tight end.[12] He was waived on October 31, 2020,[13] and re-signed to the practice squad two days later.[14] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Eagles on January 4, 2021.[15] He was waived on August 23, 2021.

BC Lions

[edit]

On February 22, 2022, Butler signed with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL).[16] He was released in early round of cuts at training camp on May 23, 2022.[17]

Edmonton Elks

[edit]

Butler was signed by the Edmonton Elks of the CFL on July 5, 2022, and placed on the team's practice roster.[18] He was released on August 16, 2022.[19]

St. Louis Battlehawks (first stint)

[edit]

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.[20] At the completion of the season for the BattleHawks, Butler made 51 receptions for 599 yards and eight touchdowns.[21] He was released from his contract on May 15, 2023.[22]

Pittsburgh Steelers

[edit]

On May 16, 2023, Butler signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers.[23] He was waived/injured on August 21, and then reverted to injured reserve. Butler was released on August 25.

St. Louis Battlehawks (second stint)

[edit]

On December 4, 2023, Butler re-signed with the Battlehawks.[24] He was named to the 2024 All-UFL team on June 5, 2024.[25] On June 7, 2024 he was named the UFL Offensive Player of the Year. [26] Butler finished the season with 652 receiving yards, 45 receptions, and 5 Touchdowns.

Cincinnati Bengals

[edit]

On July 26, 2024, Butler signed with the Cincinnati Bengals.[27] On August 23, 2024, Butler was released.[28]

St. Louis Battlehawks (third stint)

[edit]

On January 2, 2025, Butler re-signed with the Battlehawks.[29]

NFL career statistics

[edit]
Legend
Offensive Player of the Year
Led the league
Bold Career high

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team Games Receiving
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
2020 PHI 2 0
Career 2 0 0 0 0.0 0 0

CFL career statistics

[edit]

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team Games Receiving
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
2022 EDM 1 1 1 5 5.0 5 0
Career 1 1 1 5 5.0 5 0

XFL/UFL career statistics

[edit]

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team League Games Receiving
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
2023 STL XFL 10 7 51 599 11.7 66 8
2024 STL UFL 10 10 45 652 14.5 80 5
2025 STL 7 7 13 300 23.1 67 4
Career 27 24 109 1,551 14.2 80 17

Postseason

[edit]
Year Team League Games Receiving
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
2024 STL UFL 1 1 6 59 9.8 28 0
Career 1 1 6 59 9.8 28 0

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Hakeem Butler is an for the of the United Football League (UFL). Born on May 16, 1996, in , , Butler attended , where he played and emerged as a standout performer in his junior season of 2018, recording 60 receptions for 1,318 receiving yards and nine touchdowns to set a school single-season record for receiving yards. That year, he ranked ninth nationally in receiving yards per game (101.4) and 29th in receiving touchdowns (9), while posting six 100-yard receiving games to tie an Iowa State record. Selected by the in the fourth round (103rd overall) of the , Butler's professional career has spanned multiple leagues, including brief stints in the with the , (where he appeared in two games during the 2020 season without recording a reception), , and , as well as the Canadian Football League with the and . Despite limited production—zero career receptions over two —Butler found greater success in spring football leagues, joining the in the XFL for the 2023 season, where he recorded 51 receptions for 599 yards and eight touchdowns. In the 2024 UFL season, Butler led the league in receiving yards with 652 on 45 catches and five touchdowns, earning Offensive Player of the Year honors before briefly signing with the Bengals in July 2024; he returned to the Battlehawks on January 2, 2025, for his third stint with the team. In the 2025 UFL season, he recorded 13 receptions for 300 yards in seven games, though his performance was impacted by injuries and changes. At 6 feet 5 inches and 227 pounds, Butler's size and athleticism—highlighted by a 4.48-second at the Combine—have made him a physical presence as a deep threat and red-zone target across his career.

Early life and education

Early life

Hakeem Butler was born on May 16, 1996, in , . He grew up in the Greenmount/33rd Street neighborhood as the middle child of single mother Sherryl Butler and had two siblings: an older sister named Amber and a younger brother named Khalil. The family lived in a modest one-bedroom house, where Butler shared a with his brother while his sister slept in the , reflecting the economic hardships they faced in a rough urban environment. His mother worked long hours as a to support the family after his father left when Butler was young. From an early age, Butler was exposed to sports in Baltimore's street culture, particularly football, which he played informally with neighborhood kids despite lacking organized opportunities. Although his cousins were basketball standouts, Butler gravitated toward football, honing basic skills in pickup games that instilled resilience amid the city's challenges. These experiences shaped his early development, teaching him to "grow up fast" in a high-risk setting, as noted by his uncle Sr. Butler's childhood was marked by personal challenges, including poverty and his mother's battle with , diagnosed in 2010 when he was 14. Sherryl's illness strained the family, but she motivated her children to persevere, emphasizing education and hard work despite her declining health. In 2012, as his mother's condition worsened, Butler and his brother relocated to , to live with relatives during her final months. She passed away later that year when he was 16. Following her death, they moved to , with their aunt Marian and uncle . This move, though occurring as he entered high school, was influenced by the family support that had begun shaping his motivations earlier through his mother's example of determination.

High school career

Hakeem Butler attended Fort Bend Travis High School in , where he excelled as a multi-sport athlete, primarily in football and . In football, Butler played and , earning second-team all-district honors as a senior in 2014. That season, he recorded 28 receptions for 378 yards and five touchdowns over seven games. As a junior, following his recent move to , he appeared in only six games due to transfer rules but showed promise as a tall, athletic target in the passing game. Butler also starred in basketball, averaging more than 10 points per game during his junior season as a forward for the Tigers. His senior year stats included 7.0 points and 5.6 rebounds per game across 24 contests. Butler's high school performance drew interest from college recruiters despite his injury history and relatively low national profile as a two-star prospect. He received scholarship offers from Iowa State, , New Mexico State, and McNeese State, ultimately committing to Iowa State on February 2, 2015, and signing in the early period. The Cyclones valued his 6-foot-5 frame and upside, with assistant coach Lou Ayeni playing a key role in his recruitment after identifying him through Texas high school connections.

College career

Iowa State Cyclones

Butler redshirted his initial season at Iowa State in 2015, preserving a year of eligibility while adjusting to college football. As a redshirt freshman in 2016, Butler saw limited action in 11 games, recording nine receptions for 134 yards and two touchdowns, marking the beginning of his emergence as a deep threat for the Cyclones. His role expanded modestly that year, with standout plays including an 18-yard touchdown against Northern Iowa and a 19-yard reception in the season finale against West Virginia. In 2017, Butler broke out as a , starting more snaps and finishing with 41 receptions for 697 yards and seven over 13 games, earning honorable mention All-Big 12 recognition for his contributions to State's 8-5 record. He provided key big-play ability, such as a 74-yard reception in a rivalry loss to and four catches for 62 yards against in a narrow 20-16 defeat. Butler's growth helped solidify the Cyclones' passing attack under Jacob Park, though the team capped the season with a 21-20 victory over Memphis in the . Butler's senior year in 2018 represented the pinnacle of his college career, as the redshirt junior dominated with 60 receptions for 1,318 yards, ranking third in the Big 12, and nine touchdowns, shattering Iowa State's single-season receiving yards record while tying the school mark with six 100-yard games. He earned second-team All-American honors from The Athletic and College Football News, as well as second-team All-Big 12 selection, reflecting his evolution into the team's primary wideout and a matchup nightmare due to his 6-foot-6 frame and speed. Key performances included six catches for 107 yards and a touchdown in a 30-14 upset victory over No. 6 West Virginia, showcasing his red-zone prowess, and a career-high nine receptions for 192 yards in the Alamo Bowl against Washington State, highlighted by a spectacular one-handed grab despite the 28-26 loss. Throughout his tenure, Butler committed to Iowa State following a high school recruitment process that also drew interest from Houston and New Mexico State.

Receiving and Rushing Statistics

YearGamesReceptionsReceiving YardsYards per ReceptionLongest ReceptionReceiving TouchdownsRushing AttemptsRushing Yards
201611913414.935200
2017134169717.067700
201813601,31822.083900
Over his three-year career at Iowa State, Butler recorded 110 receptions for 2,149 yards and 18 touchdowns in 37 games, with no rushing attempts. In , Butler ranked ninth nationally in receiving yards per game at 101.4 and third in the in receiving yards (1,318) and first in yards per reception (22.0).

Professional career

2019 NFL Draft

Butler entered the as a projected mid-round selection, bolstered by his junior season performance of 2018 at Iowa State where he recorded 60 receptions for 1,318 yards and nine touchdowns, showcasing his ability to exploit mismatches with his size and contested-catch prowess. At the in , Butler measured 6 feet 5⅜ inches tall and 227 pounds, with 35¼-inch arms and 10¾-inch hands, highlighting his prototypical big-slot frame for wide receivers. He ran the in 4.48 seconds, recorded a 36-inch , and completed 18 repetitions, metrics that ranked him among the top performers in his position group for explosiveness and strength relative to his size. During Iowa State's Pro Day on March 26, 2019, Butler opted not to re-run the or other timed drills, having already addressed speed concerns at the Combine, and instead focused on route-running demonstrations and position-specific workouts for scouts. He participated in formal interviews with multiple teams, including the , emphasizing his background and body control in traffic to alleviate questions about his route polish and consistency. Scouts projected Butler as a Day 2 (second- or third-round) talent due to his 6-foot-5, 227-pound frame paired with above-average production and athletic testing, though concerns over occasional concentration lapses and a limited route tree contributed to varied evaluations across the mid-rounds. The selected Butler in the fourth round, 103rd overall, in the held in , viewing him as a developmental red-zone threat to complement their receiving corps.

Arizona Cardinals

Butler was selected by the in the fourth round (103rd overall) of the and signed a four-year contract worth $3.32 million on May 10, 2019, which included a signing bonus of $727,576. In the 2019 preseason, Butler appeared in two games for the Cardinals, recording one reception for six yards on two targets. He suffered a hand during and was placed on injured reserve on August 25, 2019, which sidelined him for his entire rookie season without any regular season appearances. Butler remained with the Cardinals through the 2019 season but saw no further on-field action. On September 4, 2020, the team released him as part of final roster cuts.

Carolina Panthers

Butler signed with the ' practice squad on September 18, 2020, shortly after his release from the earlier that month. To accommodate the addition, the Panthers released from their practice squad. During his short tenure, which lasted approximately 11 days, Butler contributed as a developmental on the NFL's expanded amid the protocols. His physical attributes—standing at 6-foot-5 and 227 pounds—made him an intriguing prospect for the team, particularly as a potential red-zone target, though he saw no game action and recorded no statistics. No injuries were reported during this period, allowing him to focus on skill refinement.

Philadelphia Eagles

On September 29, 2020, Butler was signed off the to the active roster and converted to . He appeared in two games during the 2020 regular season without recording a reception. Butler was waived by the on October 31, 2020, and re-signed to their . Butler signed a reserve/ with the on January 4, 2021. Butler was waived by the Eagles on August 23, 2021, ahead of training camp and the preseason. This release prevented him from participating in any 2021 preseason games or earning a spot on the regular-season roster, marking the end of his time with the team.

BC Lions

Following his release from the in early 2022, Hakeem Butler signed with the of the Canadian Football League on February 22, 2022. Butler attended the Lions' , where he faced challenges adapting to the CFL's distinct rules, such as the larger field dimensions and motion allowances, as well as the league's faster-paced style compared to the . However, he received a limited role and did not secure a spot on the active roster. On May 23, 2022, the Lions released Butler as part of their early cuts, alongside seven other players. He did not appear in any preseason or regular season games for the team.

Edmonton Elks

Butler signed with the of the Canadian Football League (CFL) on July 5, 2022, joining the team's practice roster following his release from the ' training camp earlier that year. This move provided Butler an opportunity to adapt to CFL play after limited success, building on his brief exposure with BC. During the 2022 regular season, Butler appeared in one game for the Elks, on July 23 against the , where he recorded his lone CFL reception for 5 yards. He did not score any touchdowns and saw minimal action overall, reflecting his role as a depth receiver on a roster adjusting for the larger field and unique rules of . The Elks released Butler from the practice roster on August 16, 2022, as part of broader roster management decisions ahead of the season's midpoint, aiming to finalize their active lineup with players better suited to immediate contributions.

St. Louis Battlehawks (initial stints)

Butler joined the St. Louis Battlehawks through the 2023 XFL Supplemental Draft, selected in the fifth round after spending time on the Edmonton Elks' practice squad in 2022. In the 2023 XFL season, Butler emerged as a key contributor for the Battlehawks, recording 51 receptions for 599 yards and a league-leading eight touchdowns over 10 games, earning All-XFL honors as one of the top performers at his position. The Battlehawks finished the regular season with a 7-3 record but advanced to the XFL Conference Championship, where they fell 33-30 to the DC Defenders; Butler contributed two receptions for 19 yards and a touchdown in that playoff loss. Following the season, the XFL suspended operations in May 2023, leading to a merger with the USFL to form the United Football League (UFL) for 2024. After signing with the in May 2023 and being released in August, returned to the Battlehawks on December 4, 2023, marking his second stint with the team ahead of the inaugural UFL season. During the 2024 UFL regular season, led the Battlehawks' receiving corps with 45 catches for 652 yards and five s across 10 games, setting franchise single-season records for receiving yards and tying the team mark for receptions. His performance ranked first in the UFL for receiving yards and fifth for yards per catch (14.5), highlighting his role as the team's primary deep threat and red-zone target. The Battlehawks clinched a playoff spot with a 7-3 record, and added six receptions for 59 yards in their XFL Conference Championship loss to the on June 9, 2024, ending their postseason run.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Following his standout performance with the St. Louis Battlehawks in the 2023 XFL season, where he led the league in receiving touchdowns and drew NFL interest, Hakeem Butler signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers on May 16, 2023. Butler participated in the Steelers' organized team activities and training camp, showcasing his 6-foot-5 frame and physicality as a wide receiver, but he did not appear in any preseason games due to an injury sustained during camp. On August 21, 2023, the Steelers waived him with an injured designation, after which he reverted to the team's injured reserve list. He remained on injured reserve without being elevated to the active roster or seeing any regular-season action. Butler was released from injured reserve with an injury settlement on September 2, 2023, ending his brief tenure with the team.

Cincinnati Bengals

On July 26, 2024, Hakeem Butler signed with the as a ahead of . Butler remained with the Bengals through the preseason but did not record any statistics or receive elevations to the active roster during his tenure. On August 23, 2024, the Bengals waived Butler as part of their initial roster cuts ahead of the regular season, after which he returned to the United Football League.

St. Louis Battlehawks (2025 return)

On January 2, 2025, Hakeem Butler re-signed with the for his third stint with the team ahead of the 2025 United Football League (UFL) season. The deal positioned Butler as a cornerstone of the offense, building on his 2024 UFL Offensive Player of the Year performance. Entering the 2025 campaign, Butler was slated to reprise his role as the Battlehawks' primary , leveraging his 6-foot-5 frame and physicality to stretch the field and serve as a red-zone threat. The offseason saw significant roster adjustments for , including the addition of Jarveon as a key backfield complement and a quarterback transition following AJ McCarron's departure, with stepping into a starting role. emphasized integrating these changes, with Butler participating in drills to refine his chemistry with the new signal-caller amid a busy free-agency period that bolstered the offensive line and secondary. Butler's 2025 season was marred by a injury sustained early, sidelining him for the first four games and limiting his effectiveness upon return. He appeared in seven regular-season games, recording 13 receptions for 300 yards and four touchdowns, including a notable 67-yard scoring strike. Despite the statistical dip due to injury and quarterback flux, Butler contributed to the Battlehawks' playoff push, catching two passes for 19 yards and a touchdown in their XFL Conference Championship loss to the . By November 2025, with the season concluded, Butler's return underscored his value to the franchise, though recovery from the issue remained a focus for future preparation.

Career statistics and records

NFL statistics

Hakeem Butler appeared in a total of two regular season games during his career, both with the in 2020, where he recorded no receptions or receiving yards. He has no recorded rushing or return statistics in the . Butler has not appeared in any postseason games.
YearTeamGPRecYdsAvgLgTD
2019ARI0000
2020PHI2000.000
20210000
20220000
20230000
2024CIN0000
Career2000.000
Regular season statistics only; dashes indicate no games played.

CFL statistics

Hakeem Butler's CFL career was limited to a single regular season game with the in 2022, following his release from the ' training camp earlier that year. He recorded 1 reception for 5 yards. Over his brief CFL career, Butler totaled 1 reception for 5 yards and 0 touchdowns in 1 game. Butler did not appear in any postseason games during his CFL tenure.
YearTeamGamesReceptionsYardsAverageLongestTouchdowns
2022EDM1155.050

UFL statistics

Hakeem Butler has been a key contributor for the St. Louis Battlehawks in the UFL since 2023, initially under the XFL banner before the league's merger. His receiving statistics highlight consistent production as the team's primary wide receiver across multiple seasons.

Regular Season Statistics

YearTeamGamesReceptionsYardsAverageLongestTouchdowns
2023 (XFL)105159911.8668
2024104565214.5805
202571330023.1674
In 2024, Butler set a franchise single-season record for receiving yards with 652, surpassing his own 2023 mark of 599.

Postseason Statistics

YearTeamGamesReceptionsYardsAverageLongestTouchdowns
2024 (XFL Conference Championship)16589.7270
2025 (XFL Conference Championship)12199.5121

Career UFL Totals

Through the 2025 season, Butler has recorded 109 receptions for 1,551 yards and 17 in 27 regular-season games with the Battlehawks, along with 8 receptions for 77 yards and 1 in 2 postseason games. These figures underscore his role in elevating the team's passing attack during his multiple stints.

Awards and honors

College awards

During his tenure at , Hakeem Butler earned several accolades recognizing his performance as a , particularly in his junior season of 2018, when he set school records with 60 receptions for 1,318 yards and nine touchdowns. Butler was named to the first-team All-Big 12 by the and , while receiving second-team honors from the conference coaches. He also earned second-team All-American recognition from and News. In 2018, Butler was added to the Biletnikoff Award watch list, which honors the nation's top receiver, though he did not advance to the semifinalist round. Additionally, he was named a finalist for the , given to the top offensive player with Texas ties. At Iowa State's annual awards banquet in 2019, Butler received the Ray Scott Outstanding Offensive Skill Player Award for his record-setting season.

Professional awards

In his professional career, Hakeem Butler has earned notable accolades primarily in the United Football League (UFL) and its predecessor, the XFL, recognizing his standout performances as a . Butler was named the 2024 UFL Offensive Player of the Year after leading the league with 652 receiving yards on 45 receptions, averaging 14.5 yards per catch, which earned him the league's top offensive honor. He also received All-UFL First Team honors for his efforts that season, highlighting his role as the ' primary receiving threat. In 2023, during his initial stint with the Battlehawks in the XFL, Butler was selected to the All-XFL Team after recording 51 receptions for 599 yards and eight touchdowns, establishing himself as one of the league's top wideouts. While Butler has appeared in NFL training camps and practices with teams like the , , , and , as well as a brief stint with the in the CFL, he has not received major individual awards in those leagues.

References

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