Iowa State wide receiver Butler has ability to match 6-6 height

AMES, IOWA» When Iowa State coach Matt Campbell challenged Hakeem Butler to become the Cyclones’ go-to receiver this year, Butler simply nodded and went to work.

Now, with the No. 23 Cyclones (5-3, 4-2 Big 12) heading into the stretch run of their season, Butler has more than met that challenge.

He leads the team in receptions, yardage and touchdowns. His average of 24 yards a catch leads the nation. Of Iowa State’s 11 longest plays from scrimmage, Butler owns nine of them. Most were highlight reel-worthy.

“I’m in Hakeem’s class. I came in with him,” defensive back Braxton Lewis said Tuesday. “When he makes those plays, to this day it still amazes me every time he does it.”

A 6-foot-6, 225-pound junior, Butler is freakishly athletic. He is strong enough to ward off defenders, fast enough to outrun them and has the hops and size to outjump them.

Against Oklahoma this year, Butler shed four would-be tacklers on a 51yard touchdown play. Last week at Kansas, he reached behind him to catch the ball over the middle, turned upfield and easily outran the pursuit on an 83-yard touchdown.

Less than three minutes later, he made an even more jaw-dropping play.

Running a deep route against cornerback Hasan Defense, Butler leaped over the defender to make the catch and then, while holding the ball with his left hand, used his right to fling Defense off him as if they were playing a kids’ game of crack the whip. Defense recovered but couldn’t catch Butler before he somersaulted into the end zone.

“I think Hakeem, bar none, is one of the most athletically talented guys I’ve ever had the opportunity to coach at the wide receiver position,” Campbell said.

“I thought his offseason was maybe as good as anybody in our football program. So it was really fun to watch that maturity. He’s really done that all three years since I’ve been here, gotten better every year and really has put himself in a great position to be a phenomenal player.”