For UFL fans, one of the most exciting aspects of the NFL preseason is tracking the training camp performances of favorite spring players signed to team rosters. The latest installment of UFL to NFL Training Camp Watch focuses on Hakeem Butler, the UFL's all-time receiving leader.
An ALL-UFL Team standout in two of the last three years, Butler has twice been named the UFL Offensive Player of the Year for 2024 and 2026. This past season, playing in nine games, he led the league with 29 receptions for 641 yards with three touchdowns.
UFL to NFL Training Camp Watch: Hakeem Butler
At a desirable 6’5” and 242 lbs., Butler has had NFL opportunities before. However, although he is consistently one of the first players to be signed by an NFL team during the preseason, he’s yet to make the team’s 53-man roster.
Butler: The College Years
It didn’t take long for Butler to make his mark at Iowa State. Redshirting his freshman year, he set a single-season receiving yards record with 1,318 as a junior. Forgoing his senior year to declare for the 2019 Draft, Butler wrapped up his collegiate career with 110 receptions for 2,149 yards with 18 touchdowns.
Butler: Standout At The 2019 NFL Draft
PFF noted that with 19 receptions, Butler had more 20-plus yard downfield catches than anyone else in his draft class. Projected as the number six receiver, he charted just behind D.K Metcalf, A.J. Brown, and Marquise Brown, who ranked one, two, and five, respectively. Also in that same draft class, Deebo Samuel came in at number seven.
Ahead of the 2019 NFL Draft, NFL analyst Lance Zierlein emphasized that Butler’s size and length were key advantages.
“Long strider with impressive build-up speed. Climbs quickly on top of safeties from the slot. Uses frame to create space at the top of his routes. Size, length, and leaping swing 50-50 balls in his favor. Adequate body control in the air. Extremely physical with the ball in his hands.”
At the NFL Combine, Butler’s Production Score of 80 ranked sixth among qualifying wide receivers while his Athleticism Score of 85 placed 8th. An AFC wide receivers coach marveled at Butler’s strength in breaking tackles.
“He’s a handful for one guy to bring down by himself.”
Butler’s Early NFL Opportunities
Drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth-round of the 2019 NFL Draft, the 6’5”, 242 lb. rookie had the extreme misfortune to break his hand during the preseason. Placed on injured reserve for the entire 2019 season, Butler was subsequently waived by the Cardinals the following September.
Since then, although other NFL opportunities materialized with the Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles, and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Butler spent the majority of his time on the practice squads. He appeared in two games for the Eagles in 2020 without recording any stats. Signing a reserve/future contract for the 2021 season, he was waived by the team ahead of the regular 2021 season.
In 2022, Butler took his talents to the CFL. Spending time that spring with the BC Lions, he was released in the early round of training camp cuts that May. Two months later, he was signed by the Edmonton Elks, only to be released during roster cutdowns.
Finding Success in Spring Football
Selected by the Battlehawks in the 2023 XFL supplemental draft, Butler had a strong season, recording 599 yards and a league-leading eight touchdowns. His performance was solid enough to warrant the Pittsburgh Steelers signing him that spring. But once again, fate intervened, and Butler suffered a training camp injury that resulted in his release in August.
The following January, he joined the Battlehawks during the UFL merger. Over the past four seasons with St. Louis, he’s contributed 2,192 career receiving yards (the most in spring football) with 20 touchdowns.
After being recognized as the UFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2024, Butler signed with the Cincinnati Bengals. But one month later, he was released.
Butler’s Latest NFL Opportunity
Butler was the first UFL player to sign an NFL deal following the 2026 UFL season. His latest opportunity comes with the Denver Broncos, who also signed his Battlehawks teammate and All-UFL Team punt return specialist Sean Fresch.
Given Butler’s talent and his UFL production, it’s hard to believe that he’s still on the outside, looking in. Ricky Proehl, his St. Louis Battlehawks coach, praised his deep ball tracking ability and big play impact.
“A man (of) his size with the things he does is pretty special. There’s no reason why he shouldn’t be at the next level. I think it’s just finding what his unique quality is and putting him in a position for success."
Describing Butler as a quiet player who just wants to help his team win, Proehl said he prefers to let his actions speak for him.
"He wants the football, but he’s not a distraction," Proehl said. "If he’s not getting his targets and he feels like he can help the team win, then he’ll be vocal in a positive way, like ‘Hey guys, I can help you. I need to get some targets.’ But if he understands that he’s getting double-teamed and it’s opening up other guys, he’s happy with that. He wants to win.
Sometimes, all it takes is the right opportunity, and after signing with the Broncos, Butler is already making a big impact in training camp. On Saturday, he caught a 70-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jarrett Stidham. Currently competing with Sam Ehlinger for the QB2 role, aside from that touchdown, Stidham struggled a bit that day. However, Butler's catch was the highlight of the practice, especially considering he got the best of veteran cornerback Sam Webb. Head coach Sean Payton certainly took notice.
"I say this all the time: when we get to the pads and the kicking game, there's a transition for a lot of these guys," Payton said about Butler's performance so far. "If you're trying to make the roster and find a niche, those are the avenues that become important for all these younger players and new guys on the roster."
Hopefully, in the next few weeks, he'll get an opportunity to get some first-team reps with Bo Nix. Butler's ready to show who he is and what he can do.
"...I’m not really into trying to prove much anymore. I am who I am at this point. My game is going to get better for sure, but I’m just Hakeem. So, if they’re bringing me in to be Hakeem, then they’ll be super happy with me. If they’re bringing me to be something else, then it will never work."
Here's hoping the third time is the charm, and Butler's third NFL preseason following his spring success leads to him making the Broncos' 53-man roster.