Percy Butler Bio
Percy Butler III (born May 29, 2000) is an American professional football safety for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns and was selected by the Commanders in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft. Standing 6 feet tall and weighing around 190 pounds, Butler has carved out a role as a dependable defensive back and a core special teams contributor since arriving in the league.
Born and raised in Louisiana, Butler developed into a draftable prospect through steady production at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. After three seasons of growing responsibility in college, he transitioned to the NFL where his tackling and coverage skills have continued to mature.
Early Life and Background
Percy Butler III was born on May 29, 2000, in Plaquemine, Louisiana. He grew up in the same community where he later attended high school, building his football foundation in a region known for producing competitive athletes. His early years in Plaquemine helped shape the discipline and physical style that would later define his play on the gridiron.
Butler attended Plaquemine High School, where he developed into a two-star college recruit. Although he did not arrive as a heavily pursued national prospect, his high school performance was strong enough to earn him an opportunity at the NCAA Division I level. That path eventually led him to commit to play for the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Path to American Football
Butler’s journey to the professional ranks began in earnest when he joined the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns. As a freshman, he saw action in six games before an injury cut his debut season short. The setback, however, did not prevent him from returning stronger the following year, when he earned a starting role and quickly became a dependable presence in the secondary.
During his sophomore campaign, Butler played in all 14 of Louisiana’s games with 12 starts, recording 54 tackles, two passes broken up, and three forced fumbles. His junior season featured 44 tackles, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, six passes broken up, and two interceptions. As a senior, he was honored with second-team All-Sun Belt recognition after posting 61 tackles, three fumble recoveries, and an interception, and he also participated in the 2022 NFL Combine.
Percy Butler Career
Early Career (2022)
Butler was selected by the Washington Commanders in the fourth round (113th overall) of the 2022 NFL draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract on June 21, 2022, and immediately joined the team’s defensive backfield and special teams units. In his first professional season, he appeared in 15 games and finished with 11 total tackles, one fumble recovery, and one pass breakup.
Although his rookie year did not feature a starting role, Butler used the season to adjust to the pace and complexity of NFL schemes. His work on special teams and in reserve defensive packages laid the groundwork for an expanded opportunity the following year.
Commanders Breakthrough (2023)
Butler’s second NFL season marked his official arrival as a starting safety. Beginning in Week 6 of the 2023 campaign, he stepped into the starting free safety role after Darrick Forrest was placed on injured reserve. Butler held that position through most of the season before a wrist injury sent him to injured reserve on December 30, 2023.
Over 15 games with 13 starts in 2023, Butler recorded 35 total tackles, eight pass deflections, and one forced fumble. The campaign established him as a reliable coverage defender and a player capable of handling expanded responsibilities within the Commanders’ secondary.
Washington Commanders Era (2024–Present)
In the 2024 season, Butler returned to a role that blended reserve defensive work with heavy special teams duties. Playing behind starters Quan Martin and Jeremy Chinn, he appeared in all 17 regular season games with five starts. He produced 47 total tackles and one pass deflection, reinforcing his value as a versatile contributor on a young Commanders roster.
Entering the final year of his original rookie contract, Butler signed a one-year contract extension with Washington on July 25, 2025. The new deal keeps him in the burgundy and gold as he continues to compete for a larger role in the defensive backfield.
Driving Style and Strengths
Butler is recognized for his tackling reliability, disciplined coverage, and football intelligence. Coaches have valued his ability to read offensive formations and his willingness to contribute on special teams, traits that have helped him earn consistent playing time even when not in a starting defensive role.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Butler’s defining career moments are his fourth-round selection in the 2022 NFL draft, his promotion to starting free safety in 2023, and his second-team All-Sun Belt recognition during his senior season at Louisiana. His 2025 contract extension underscores the organization’s continued confidence in his trajectory.
Percy Butler Career Wins
As a defensive back, Percy Butler’s statistical impact is measured through tackles, interceptions, and coverage contributions rather than traditional win totals. Across his first three NFL seasons, he has accumulated more than 90 total tackles, multiple pass deflections, and several forced fumbles and recoveries. His production in the secondary and on special teams has been the foundation of his value to the Washington Commanders.
NFL Highlights
Butler has played in 47 regular season games over his first three NFL seasons, with 18 starts. His most productive year statistically came in 2024, when he posted 47 total tackles. His most memorable professional stretch came during the 2023 season, when he took over as the Commanders’ starting free safety and delivered 35 tackles along with eight pass deflections before a wrist injury cut his year short.
Other Performances
At the college level, Butler earned second-team All-Sun Belt honors in 2021 after recording 61 tackles, three fumble recoveries, and an interception. He also competed at the 2022 NFL Combine, where he tested in front of NFL scouts ahead of the draft.
Percy Butler Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Publicly available details about Percy Butler III’s immediate family are limited. He was raised in Plaquemine, Louisiana, where he attended Plaquemine High School and began building his path toward collegiate and professional football.
Personal Life
Percy Butler III focuses much of his public profile on his football career. Information about a spouse, partner, or children has not been publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Percy Butler III entered the 2025 season coming off a productive 2024 campaign and fresh off a one-year contract extension signed on July 25, 2025. With the Commanders continuing to develop their secondary around younger starters, Butler remained in position to compete for an expanded defensive role while maintaining his duties on special teams. His combination of experience and physicality gave Washington flexibility in how it deployed its safety group.
Throughout the 2025 season, Butler served as a reliable veteran presence in the Commanders’ defensive backfield. His understanding of the defensive scheme, paired with his special teams reliability, allowed him to log consistent snaps even when not listed among the primary starters. The extension reflected the organization’s belief that his steady production could continue to support both the defense and the third phase of the game.
Looking ahead, Butler’s challenge in 2025 was to build on the growth shown during his 2023 starting stint and his 2024 reserve role. Continued production in tackles and coverage, combined with another strong year on special teams, positioned him as a key depth piece for Washington as the team chased playoff contention.