Florida Atlantic Football made many additions throughout the transfer portal and their last comes to Paradise as a Preferred Walk-On with something to prove.
Former Coffeyville Community College linebacker Eric Butler Jr announced he would be transferring to FAU and spending his redshirt sophomore season in paradise.
A 6 ‘3 235 pound Olathe, Kansas native, Butler Jr played in 5 games this past season for Coffeyville, recording 10 tackles and one for loss. Coming out of Olathe Northwest High school, Butler was a 3 star recruit and had interest from some of the top schools in Kansas, including Kansas and K-State, however he opted to go the JUCO route and attended Coffeyville the past 2 seasons.
In the transfer portal this offseason, Butler Jr received offers from Arkansas State and New Mexico State, however he ultimately decided to commit to FAU on May 10th as a PWO.
With a solid showing this season, Butler Jr will have the chance to earn a scholarship and that opportunity is something he is thankful for.
“I’m incredibly excited to join the Owls, and very grateful for this opportunity”, Butler said of his decision. “From the first conversations, it felt like the right fit — both in terms of culture and how I can contribute on the field.”
Butler Jr joins his former teammate Khmari Johnson who transferred to FAU after a dominant season at Coffeyville where he recorded over 100 tackles. The two reunite with a chance to develop into a mainstay of the FAU linebacker corps, as veterans Jackson Ambush, Eddie Williams and Desmond Tisdol all depart for graduation.
Although Johnson’s path to playing time might be quicker than Butler Jr’s, Johnson says that Butler has the size to contribute right away and notes that he was a big part of the success Johnson had at Coffeyville.
“He’s very fluid being 235 and that’s not something you see a lot with linebackers his size. He plays well within his frame, and this helps him keep up with the type of football that’s played now”, said Johnson. “I am definitely looking forward to reuniting with him.”
There will be an immediate chemistry between Butler Jr and Johnson which is something that will be important as FAU looks to build chemistry on not just the defensive side of the ball, but also in the rebuilt linebacker room that will feature new pieces throughout.
As Butler Jr looks to compete and potentially earn a scholarship, having someone he is close with and helped get better on the field alongside him at FAU is something that he believes will help him continue to grow.
“Reuniting with Khmari is definitely something I’m excited about. He’s taught me a lot already, and I know there’s so much more I can learn from him. I trust his leadership and guidance and I’m looking forward to learning from him again. GO OWLS !!!,” Johnson said.
Butler Jr becomes the 5th addition to the FAU linebacker corps, joining his former teammate Khmari Johnson, Minnesota transfer Tyler Stolsky, Marshall transfer Leon Hart Jr and freshman Hector Chavez and Robert Lee.