# Josh Butler (American football)

Josh Butler (born November 25, 1996) is an American professional football cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan State Spartans before graduating in 2018. He also has played for the Michigan Panthers of the United States Football League (USFL).

## Early life

Butler was born on November 25, 1996 in Dallas, Texas. He attended West Mesquite High School, starting at cornerback during his final two years. He was ranked as the nation's 241st best prospect and the 26th best cornerback by Rivals.com. Additionally, he saw action as a return specialist and wildcat quarterback.

## College career

Butler redshirted his first season at Michigan State. As a redshirt freshman in 2016, he garnered snaps in 11 games, primarily on special teams. As a sophomore in 2017, he started four games and collected 12 tackles. As a junior, he started five games, with 10 tackles and three passes defended. During his senior season in 2018, he started seven games, missing time due to injury. He recorded 25 tackles and 5 pass breakups. During his senior night, Butler went viral for walking the field accompanied by his two dogs: Roxy and Remi. Butler lost both his parents during his time at Michigan State.

## Professional career

Pre-draft measurables :
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press |
| 6 ft 0.5 in (1.84 m) | 191 lb (87 kg) | 29+3⁄4 in (0.76 m) | 9+3⁄4 in (0.25 m) | 4.31 s | 1.57 s | 2.69 s | 4.44 s | 7.31 s | 34.5 in (0.88 m) | 10 ft 2 in (3.10 m) | 14 reps |
| All values from Pro Day ||||||||||||

### The Spring League

In 2021, Butler played for the Conquers of the developmental The Spring League.

### Michigan Panthers

On March 22, 2023, Butler agreed to terms with the Michigan Panthers of the United States Football League. Butler started all 11 games (including the postseason), tallying 35 tackles and 4 passes defended.

### Dallas Cowboys

On July 25, 2023, the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League signed Butler to their preseason roster. During the preseason, Butler collected 9 tackles and a tackle-for-loss, while also defending 2 passes in the final preseason game. While he was cut from the 53-man roster, he was later signed to the Dallas Cowboys practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract on January 15, 2024.
Butler was waived by the Cowboys on August 27, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on November 18. In 5 games for Dallas, he totaled 5 pass deflections, 1 sack, and 21 combined tackles. Butler suffered a torn ACL in Week 13 against the New York Giants, and was ruled out for the season.

## Career statistics
### Regular season

| Year | Team | Games | Games | Tackles | Tackles | Tackles | Tackles | Tackles | Interceptions | Interceptions | Interceptions | Interceptions | Interceptions | Interceptions | Fumbles | Fumbles | Fumbles |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | Sfty | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | PD | FF | FR | TD |
| 2023 | MICH | 10 | 10 | 32 | 22 | 10 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| | 10 | 10 | 32 | 22 | 10 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |

### Postseason

| Year | Team | Games | Games | Tackles | Tackles | Tackles | Tackles | Tackles | Interceptions | Interceptions | Interceptions | Interceptions | Interceptions | Interceptions | Fumbles | Fumbles | Fumbles |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | Sfty | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | PD | FF | FR | TD |
| 2023 | MICH | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |

### Regular season

| Year | Team | Games | Games | Tackles | Tackles | Tackles | Tackles | Tackles | Interceptions | Interceptions | Interceptions | Interceptions | Interceptions | Interceptions | Fumbles | Fumbles | Fumbles |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | Sfty | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | PD | FF | FR | TD |
| 2023 | DAL | 0 | 0 | Did not play | Did not play | Did not play | Did not play | Did not play | Did not play | Did not play | Did not play | Did not play | Did not play | Did not play | Did not play | Did not play | Did not play |
| 2024 | DAL | 5 | 3 | 21 | 17 | 4 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 5 | 3 | 21 | 17 | 4 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |

### Postseason

| Year | Team | Games | Games | Tackles | Tackles | Tackles | Tackles | Tackles | Interceptions | Interceptions | Interceptions | Interceptions | Interceptions | Interceptions | Fumbles | Fumbles | Fumbles |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | Sfty | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | PD | FF | FR | TD |
| 2023 | DAL | 0 | 0 | Did not play | Did not play | Did not play | Did not play | Did not play | Did not play | Did not play | Did not play | Did not play | Did not play | Did not play | Did not play | Did not play | Did not play |
| Career | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |