Vernon Butler

Vernon Butler Jr. (born June 14, 1994) is an American football nose tackle who is a free agent. He played college football at Louisiana Tech, and selected in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers.

Vernon Butler
refer to caption
Butler with the Buffalo Bills in 2021
Personal information
Born: (1994-06-14) June 14, 1994
Pike County, Mississippi, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:325 lb (147 kg)
Career information
High school:North Pike
(Summit, Mississippi)
College:Louisiana Tech (2012–2015)
Position:Nose tackle
NFL Draft:2016 / Round: 1 / Pick: 30
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics as of Week 13, 2022
Total tackles:110
Sacks:8.0
Forced fumbles:4
Fumble recoveries:2
Pass deflections:3
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Early years

Butler attended North Pike High School in Summit, Mississippi. He played football, basketball and ran track. As a senior, he had 121 tackles and 13 sacks. Butler committed to Louisiana Tech University to play college football.[1]

College career

As a true freshman at Louisiana Tech in 2012, Butler had 21 tackles. As a sophomore in 2013, he had 43 tackles with one sack and as a junior in 2014, he had 54 tackles and a sack.[2] As a senior in 2015, Butler had 50 tackles with three sacks and was named first team All-Conference USA.[3][4][5]

Professional career
Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
6 ft 3+5⁄8 in
(1.92 m)		 323 lb
(147 kg)		 35+1⁄8 in
(0.89 m)		 10+3⁄4 in
(0.27 m)		5.33 s1.87 s3.07 s4.76 s7.82 s29+1⁄2 in
(0.75 m)		8 ft 8 in
(2.64 m)		26 reps
All values from 2016 NFL Scouting Combine.[6][7]

Carolina Panthers

Butler was selected in the first round with the 30th overall pick by the Carolina Panthers.[8] He became the highest Louisiana Tech Bulldog selected since Troy Edwards in 1999.

On May 13, 2016, the Carolina Panthers signed Butler to a four-year, $8.39 million contract that includes $7.94 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $4.30 million.[9][10]

On May 2, 2019, the Panthers declined the fifth-year option on Butler's contract, making him a free agent in 2020.[11]

On December 22, 2019, Butler was ejected after punching Jack Doyle of the Indianapolis Colts in a 38–6 loss.[12]

Buffalo Bills

On March 27, 2020, Butler signed a two-year contract with the Buffalo Bills.[13]

Las Vegas Raiders

Butler signed with the Las Vegas Raiders on March 23, 2022.[14] Butler was released on August 16, 2022.[15]

New York Giants

On November 15, 2022, the New York Giants signed Butler to their practice squad.[16] On December 3, 2022, Butler was elevated from the practice squad for the Week 13 game against the Washington Commanders.[17] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 22, 2023.[18] He was released on August 30, 2023.

References
  1. "Louisiana Tech lands two from North Pike". enterprise-journal.com.
  2. "Tech's Butler nearly unblockable during fall camp". thenewsstar.com. August 19, 2015.
  3. "Butler wants to prove he's top-ranked DT prospect in NFL Draft". thenewsstar.com. January 25, 2016.
  4. "La. Tech's Butler has plenty to prove at Senior Bowl". shreveporttimes.com. January 25, 2016.
  5. "Louisiana Tech defensive tackle Vernon Butler lives up to billing at Senior Bowl practice".
  6. "Vernon Butler - DT - Louisiana Tech - 2016 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  7. "Vernon Butler - DT - Louisiana Tech - 2016 NFL Combine Results". NFL Combine Results. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  8. "2016 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  9. "DT Butler signs contract". Panthers.com. May 13, 2016.
  10. "Spotrac.com: Vernon Butler contract". Spotrac.com. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
  11. "Panthers pass on Vernon Butler's fifth-year option". Panthers.com. May 2, 2019.
  12. "Panthers DT Vernon Butler ejected for punching Colts TE Jack Doyle". espn.com. December 22, 2019. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  13. Williams, Charean (March 17, 2020). "Bills agree to terms with Vernon Butler, Quinton Jefferson". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports.
  14. Raiders Public Relations (March 23, 2022). "Raiders sign DT Vernon Butler". Raiders.com. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  15. "Raiders make moves to bring roster to 85-player limit". Raiders.com. August 16, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  16. Citak, Matt (November 15, 2022). "Giants sign DL Vernon Butler to practice squad". Giants.com.
  17. Eisen, Michael (December 3, 2022). "OLB Azeez Ojulari activated among series of moves". Giants.com.
  18. "Giants sign 10 to reserve/future contracts". Giants.com. January 22, 2023.
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