Panthers to work out UFL OPOY Hakeem Butler

[Prowler2k18]

Carolina Panthers to work out UFL's Offensive Player of the Year Hakeem Butler

by:Nikki Chavanelle•about 2 hours

 

Steven Bisig/USA TODAY Sports

The Carolina Panthers are expected to host the UFL’s Offensive Player of the Year Hakeem Butler before wrapping up minicamp, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. Butler is coming off of an impressive season with the St. Louis BattleHawks during which he posted 45 catches for a league-best 652 receiving yards and five touchdowns. He earned the OPOY award and a spot on the all-league team as well.

Last year, Butler had 51 receptions for 599 yards and eight touchdowns for the BattleHawks. The team released him, freeing him up to sign on to the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad. 

Butler was a fourth-round selection in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Iowa State. He spent his rookie year with the Arizona Cardinals but broke his hand leading to his release before the 2020 season. He then signed for the 2020 campaign with the Carolina Panthers practice squad. It was a short-lived stint, however, as he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles days later.

Edited June 11 by Prowler2k18

[Prowler2k18]

Another source:

NFL Rumors: Hakeem Butler to Visit Panthers After UFL Success, Wade Phillips' Praise

ZACH BACHAR
JUNE 10, 2024

The Carolina Panthers are expected to conduct a workout with UFL wide receiver Hakeem Butler, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Butler recorded a league-leading 652 receiving yards as a member of the St. Louis Battlehawks. He was previously a fourth-round draft pick by the Arizona Cardinals in 2019.

After the Battlehawks were defeated by the San Antonio Brahmas in the XFL Conference title game, Brahmas head coach and longtime NFL coach Wade Phillips told the receiver that "I'm going to tell everybody in the NFL that I talk to that you need to be playing," via Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk.

Despite the loss by St. Louis, Butler still hauled in six receptions for a team-high 59 receiving yards. The 28-year-old was named the 2024 UFL Offensive Player of the Year, as he was one of only two wideouts to have multiple games with at least 100 receiving yards.

While the Panthers added Diontae Johnson and first-round rookie Xavier Legette to their wide receiver room in the offseason, they could still use some depth in the form of Butler. Carolina isn't opposed to picking up former UFL players, as Rapoport revealed on Thursday that the team is also "expected" to sign All-UFL receiver Daewood Davis.

Although Butler was selected by the Cardinals in the 2019 draft, he did not play as a rookie due to a hand injury and only appeared in two regular-season games as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020. He did not record a catch.

Butler signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2023 offseason, although he ultimately didn't make the team's regular-season roster.

At 6'5", he has the frame to potentially make an impact in training camp and earn a shot at making Carolina's 53-man roster. If his workout goes well with the Panthers, Butler could give himself another chance to possibly return to the NFL.

[MHS831]

2 hours ago, Prowler2k18 said:

Carolina Panthers to work out UFL's Offensive Player of the Year Hakeem Butler

by:Nikki Chavanelle•about 2 hours

 

Steven Bisig/USA TODAY Sports

The Carolina Panthers are expected to host the UFL’s Offensive Player of the Year Hakeem Butler before wrapping up minicamp, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. Butler is coming off of an impressive season with the St. Louis BattleHawks during which he posted 45 catches for a league-best 652 receiving yards and five touchdowns. He earned the OPOY award and a spot on the all-league team as well.

Last year, Butler had 51 receptions for 599 yards and eight touchdowns for the BattleHawks. The team released him, freeing him up to sign on to the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad. 

Butler was a fourth-round selection in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Iowa State. He spent his rookie year with the Arizona Cardinals but broke his hand leading to his release before the 2020 season. He then signed for the 2020 campaign with the Carolina Panthers practice squad. It was a short-lived stint, however, as he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles days later.

Unless this is an excerpt---I used to work for the Observer years ago--never would have written an article without mentioning the player's position .  WR is the obvious guess, but he could be a TE.  Will have to google it since OPOY is not a position.

Edited June 11 by MHS831

[strato]

UFLgot any defensive guys? We seem to have WR on the brain. I hope this guy is great and makes the team, at least ups the competitive level in the WR room. Just sayin we need some defensive depth.

[bandu]

 

46 minutes ago, strato said:

UFLgot any defensive guys? We seem to have WR on the brain. I hope this guy is great and makes the team, at least ups the competitive level in the WR room. Just sayin we need some defensive depth.

it might be because of Xavier Legette's injury..just saying

Edited June 11 by bandu

[strato]

Could be. Seems like every day lately I read about a different UFL guy.