Butler lands on Carolina Panthers practice squad

Nov 10, 2018; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Hakeem Butler (18) catches a pass against the Baylor Bears at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Former Iowa State star Hakeem Butler has found a new professional home.

According to Panthers.com senior writer Myles Simmons, Butler has signed with the Carolina Panthers practice squad just a few weeks after being cut by the Arizona Cardinals, the team that drafted him in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

Butler spent the entire 2019 season on the injured reserve due to a hand injury and was cut by the Cardinals shortly before the 2020 season.

The 6-foot-5, 227-pound pass catcher became a household name in college football circles during a standout junior season in 2018 that produced spectacular catch-and-run highlights and circus catches along with being one of the most productive seasons by a wide receiver in Iowa State history. Butler finished that year with a school-record 1,318 receiving yards on 60 catches plus nine touchdowns.

Butler finished his three-year Iowa State career fourth in program history in receiving yards (2,149) and third in touchdown receptions (18).

The Panthers are scheduled to play Tampa Bay on Sunday at 12 p.m. central time.

Jared Stansbury

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Jared a native of Clarinda, Iowa, started as the Cyclone Fanatic intern in August 2013, primarily working as a videographer until starting on the women’s basketball beat prior to the 2014-15 season. Upon earning his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State in May 2016, Jared was hired as the site’s full-time staff writer, taking over as the primary day-to-day reporter on football and men’s basketball. He was elevated to the position of managing editor in January 2020. He is a regular contributor on 1460 KXNO in Des Moines and makes regular guest appearances on radio stations across the Midwest. Jared resides in Ankeny with his four-year-old puggle, Lolo.

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