Iowa State Football: Hakeem Butler perfect replacement for Allen Lazard

Iowa State football pass catchers Hakeem Butler and Allen Lazard were a terrific tandem. Now it’s up to Butler alone to carry the Cyclones in the passing game.

Iowa State arguably has lost their greatest receiver in program history. Allen Lazard broke five Cyclone records and collected numerous accolades throughout his playing career. There is no doubt that Lazard will be tough to replace but Hakeem Butler has the ability to fill the gap with ease.

Hakeem Butler burst onto the scene for the Cyclones this past season. The 6-foot-6, 219 pound redshirt junior-to-be was an honorable mention by the Big 12 and is only scratching the surface of his potential.

Butler was the second leading receiver for the Cyclones this year tallying 41 catches for 697 yards. The Baltimore native became the Cyclone’s go to deep threat all year averaging 17 yards per catch with catches of 74, 67, 54, and 52 yards.

Butler towers over most corners and when the ball is in his hands, he has the ability to make something big happen.

Speed

Hakeem Butler has surprisingly good speed for such a big receiver. In multiple games this year Butler has simply ran past defensive backs.

Against Iowa Butler had touchdown receptions of 30 and 74 yards against the Hawkeyes. On this play, the Hawkeyes are playing cover two and Butler just flat-out beats the free safety with his speed. Butler has a great first step allowing him to beat defenders off the line of scrimmage and torch opposing defenses.

Butler led off the scoring for Iowa State against Memphis with a 51 yard touchdown. Using his speed, he simply ran past the Memphis defensive back (No. 14) and the rest is history.

Size

Hakeem Butler is what coaches dream of in a wide receiver. At 6-foot-6, Butler has the ability to outsize almost every defender. Butler’s size gives him a big advantage over defensive backs and his ball skills are solid making jump balls favor Butler.

Butler has great body control for his size and has the ability to make incredible one-handed catches. Cyclone fans got a glimpse of his ability in the 2016 opener against Northern Iowa as Butler made a spectacular catch.

The size advantage becomes a big advantage for Butler in red zone situations. Iowa State will continue to look for Butler in the red zone as he creates a huge mismatch for defenders. Butler has the ability to take over inside the 20 and whoever is quarterbacking the Cyclone’s will love having Butler as a red zone target.

Strength

Most receivers either have speed or size. Butler however, has both and a unique ability to out muscle most defenders. Against Baylor, Butler literally threw defenders off of him on his way to a 67-yard touchdown.

In the Cyclone’s Liberty Bowl win against Memphis, Butler turned a simple hitch into a near touchdown. The first tackler simply bounces off Butler leading to a stiff-arm of the next defender before Butler nearly carries the third tackler into the end zone.

Hakeem Butler 2018 Outlook

Hakeem Butler will come into the 2018 season being Iowa States go to receiver. He has proven himself in Big 12 play and has great play making ability. Butler will terrorize defenses with his size, speed, and strength.

Do not be surprised if Butler continues to get better and eclipses 1,000 yards receiving this year. It will be tough for Butler to break Lazard’s career records but don’t be surprised if Lazard sees a few of his season records fall within the next two years. Lazard holds the record for touchdowns in a season (10) and 100 yard receiving games in a season (six).

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Butler tallied seven touchdowns this season went over 100 yards receiving twice. Butler has all the tools to be just as good if not better than Allen Lazard. Anticipate Butler having an incredible season and becoming the perfect replacement for Allen Lazard.