NFL 2009 Draft Profile: Deon Butler (WR) Penn State
At 5-10, 175 lbs, Butler only fielded offers from several small college programs, before deciding to attend Penn State as a none scholarship athlete. At that time, Butler was a defensive back trying to make the Panther's team, and not the receiving prospect he has become. Though to be fair, Butler was coming off a stellar prep career as a receiver, one which saw the team captain from Hylton HS (in Washington, D.C.), haul in 41 passes for 1,029 yards and 16 touchdowns his Senior season.
Still, at the highly competitive Big Ten school, Butler would redshirt his Freshman season (in 2004), before appearing in 11 out of the teams 12 games the following year. Those 11 appearances would translate into 37 catches for 691 yards and 9 touchdowns, numbers which would lead all Penn State receivers for the year.
His Sophomore season would be more of the same, with Butler re-writing the Penn State record books with a 216 yard receiving performance against Northwestern. It was a game which saw the speedy receiver take 3 of his 11 catches for more than 40 yards. By season's end Butler once again ranked as Penn State's leading receiver, collecting 48 catches for 637 yards, and again made All-Big Ten honorable mention.
Though he shared catches with teammates Jordan Norwood and Derrick Williams the following season, Bulter would end his Junior year with 47 catches for 633 yards. He would add 48 more catches for 810 yards in 2008, bringing his career totals to 2,771 yards on 179 catches. His career catches breaking Bobby Engrams' Penn State record.
Such a college pedigree, combined with his electrifying time in the 40 at the NFL Combine should be enough to make a NFL team take a gamble on the undersized receiver. Though his slight build may make him a mid round pick, one must note that Butler showed a lot of durability at Penn State, and was often on the field for 60-70 plays a game. Look for Bulter to go in the 3rd or 4th round of the 2009 NFL Entry Draft.
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Published by Rolando Cruz
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