Josh Butler Bio
Josh Butler (born November 25, 1996) is an American professional football cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 183 centimeters tall and competing at 83 kilograms, he plays the position he has trained in since high school. After going undrafted in 2020, Butler built his path through developmental and spring leagues before reaching the NFL.
A Dallas native, Butler has competed across multiple levels of American football, including the Michigan State Spartans at the college level, the Conquerors of The Spring League, the Michigan Panthers of the United States Football League, and the Dallas Cowboys. His rise from a small developmental roster to the active NFL roster reflects years of steady development and perseverance.
Early Life and Background
Josh Butler was born on November 25, 1996, in Dallas, Texas. He grew up in the Dallas area and attended West Mesquite High School, where he took on a leadership role on the football field. During his final two prep seasons, he started at cornerback and was recognized as one of the top defensive backs in the region.
Coming out of high school, Butler was ranked as the 241st best overall prospect in the nation and the 26th best cornerback by Rivals.com. In addition to his work in the secondary, he also contributed as a return specialist and a wildcat quarterback, demonstrating the kind of versatility that has continued to define his professional career.
Path to American Football
Butler’s collegiate career began at Michigan State, where he joined the Spartans football program. He redshirted his first season in East Lansing to develop his body and understanding of the defensive scheme. As a redshirt freshman in 2016, he appeared in 11 games, primarily on special teams, and earned valuable experience within the Big Ten Conference.
Across his four years with the Spartans, Butler steadily increased his role, starting four games as a sophomore in 2017, five games as a junior, and seven games during his senior season in 2018. His production grew alongside his snap count, and he graduated from Michigan State in 2018 with a reputation as a dependable, versatile defender.
Josh Butler Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
After graduating from Michigan State, Butler pursued opportunities in professional football following the 2020 league calendar. Although he went undrafted, he continued to train and waited for the right opening. He appeared in limited competitive settings while preparing to make the jump to a higher level of play.
In 2021, Butler joined the Conquerors of The Spring League, a developmental circuit designed to give players a platform to showcase their skills in front of professional scouts. His time with the Conquerors helped him sharpen his coverage technique and provided the springboard that led to his first major professional opportunity.
Michigan Panthers Era (2023)
On March 22, 2023, Butler agreed to terms with the Michigan Panthers of the United States Football League. The Panthers offered him a chance to play cornerback in a high-level spring league with a national audience, and he quickly earned a starting role on the defensive backfield.
Butler started all 11 games for the Panthers, including postseason contests, finishing the campaign with 35 tackles and 4 passes defended. His consistent play against experienced professional receivers showcased his readiness for the NFL and drew the attention of several NFL clubs.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2023–Present)
Following his productive USFL season, Butler signed with the Dallas Cowboys on July 25, 2023, joining the team’s preseason roster. During the preseason, he collected 9 tackles and a tackle for loss, while also defending 2 passes in the final exhibition game. Although he was released from the 53-man roster, he was quickly signed to the Cowboys practice squad to continue his development.
On January 15, 2024, Butler signed a reserve and future contract with Dallas, putting him in position to compete for a roster spot the following season. The Cowboys waived him on August 27, 2024, before re-signing him to the practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on November 18, 2024, and produced 5 pass deflections, 1 sack, and 21 combined tackles over 5 games.
Butler’s 2024 season came to an early end in Week 13 when he suffered a torn ACL against the New York Giants and was ruled out for the remainder of the year. Despite the injury, his work on the field had established him as a promising young piece of the Cowboys’ secondary.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most memorable moments of Butler’s college career came during his senior night at Michigan State, when he walked the field accompanied by his two dogs, Roxy and Remi, in a touching scene that went viral on social media. The walk was a personal tribute that resonated with teammates and fans alike.
Off the field, Butler has been open about losing both of his parents during his time at Michigan State, a life experience that has shaped his perspective and resolve. His continued presence in the NFL is a testament to his resilience through personal adversity.
Josh Butler Career Wins
Josh Butler’s professional career has been defined more by steady contributions and upward movement than by trophy counts. Since going undrafted in 2020, he has built a résumé that includes a starting role with the Michigan Panthers and meaningful production with the Dallas Cowboys. His pass-defending numbers and special-teams reliability remain his most consistent calling cards at the professional level.
Michigan Panthers Highlights
With the Michigan Panthers in 2023, Butler was a full-time starter from the opening game through the postseason. He tallied 35 tackles and 4 passes defended across 11 appearances, anchoring a defensive backfield that helped the Panthers remain competitive in the USFL. His coverage assignments and open-field tackling were central to the team’s defensive identity that season.
Other Wins and Performances
During his time with the Conquerors of The Spring League in 2021, Butler used the developmental environment to refine his fundamentals and earn his first professional opportunity at a higher level. His preseason showing with the Dallas Cowboys in 2023, which included 9 tackles, a tackle for loss, and 2 defended passes in the final game, served as a springboard to his practice-squad contract and eventual promotion to the active roster.
Josh Butler Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Josh Butler grew up in the Dallas, Texas, area and attended West Mesquite High School, where his football journey took shape. He has shared publicly that he lost both of his parents during his time as a student-athlete at Michigan State, an experience that has shaped his character and motivated his professional career.
Off the field, Butler is known for his love of animals, most notably his two dogs, Roxy and Remi, who accompanied him on his senior night walk at Spartan Stadium. The moment drew national attention and offered a glimpse into the personal life of a player who has often let his actions speak louder than his words.
2025 Season Performance
Josh Butler entered the 2025 season looking to build on the momentum of his late-2024 promotion to the Dallas Cowboys’ active roster. After his torn ACL in Week 13 of the previous year, his rehabilitation and return to full participation became a central storyline for the Cowboys’ secondary during the offseason. The Dallas defensive staff expressed confidence in his recovery, citing his work ethic and prior production as reasons for optimism.
Throughout the 2025 campaign, Butler has been counted on as a depth cornerback and a contributor on special teams. With the Cowboys’ defensive back rotation under constant evaluation, his role offers him an opportunity to recapture the form that produced 5 pass deflections, 1 sack, and 21 combined tackles in his five active games the prior season. Each week has provided a chance to further cement his standing on the active roster.
Looking ahead, Butler’s outlook is closely tied to his health and his ability to stay on the field. If he can avoid further injury and continue his upward trajectory, he is positioned to be a long-term piece of the Dallas Cowboys’ secondary. His journey from undrafted free agent to NFL contributor remains one of the more compelling storylines within the Cowboys’ defensive room.