Percy Butler Bio
Percy Butler III (born May 29, 2000) is an American professional football safety and special teamer 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 0 inches tall and listed at 190 pounds, Butler has carved out a role on defense and on special teams since arriving in Washington.
A Louisiana native, Butler has developed into a reliable depth piece and occasional starter for the Commanders. His path from a 2-star high school recruit to an NFL draft pick reflects steady improvement throughout his college career.
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 would eventually attend high school, developing his athletic skills from a young age. Plaquemine, a small city along the Mississippi River, provided the backdrop for his early introduction to organized football.
Butler attended and played football at Plaquemine High School, where he lined up at both wide receiver and defensive back. As a senior, his play on the defensive side of the ball earned him second-team all-state honors. In addition to football, he was a member of Plaquemine’s track team, competing in the triple jump and long jump. His versatility as both a football player and a track athlete helped shape his athletic foundation.
Path to American Football
Coming out of high school, Butler was rated as a 2-star recruit. Despite the modest ranking, he drew interest from several college programs, including Southern Miss and Texas State. He ultimately chose to commit to the University of Louisiana, where he would play for the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns of the Sun Belt Conference.
His decision to stay in state and play for Louisiana allowed him to develop close to home while competing at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. The choice provided him with the opportunity to refine his skills as a defensive back and grow into a draft-caliber prospect by the end of his college career.
Percy Butler Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
Butler began his college career with the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns in 2018. As a freshman, he appeared in six games before suffering an injury that cut his debut season short. Despite the early setback, he showed enough promise to remain a key part of the team’s defensive rotation going forward.
In his sophomore season, Butler played in all 14 of Louisiana’s games, earning 12 starts. He recorded 54 tackles along with two passes broken up and three forced fumbles, establishing himself as a reliable presence in the secondary. His development continued into his junior year, when he tallied 44 tackles, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, six passes broken up, and two interceptions.
Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Breakthrough (2020–2021)
As a senior in 2021, Butler put together his most productive college season. He recorded 61 tackles, three fumble recoveries, and an interception across the year. That performance earned him second-team All-Sun Belt Conference honors, validating his growth as one of the conference’s top defensive backs.
Following the conclusion of his senior season, Butler participated in the 2022 NFL Combine, where he showcased his athletic traits in front of NFL scouts. His combination of college production, size, and measurables made him an attractive mid-round prospect for teams in need of secondary help.
Washington Commanders Era (2022–Present)
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, officially beginning his professional career. In his first season, he appeared in 15 games, recording 11 total tackles, one fumble recovery, and one pass breakup while contributing primarily on special teams.
His role expanded in 2023. Starting in Week 6, Butler took over as the starting free safety in place of Darrick Forrest, who had been placed on injured reserve. Over 15 games with 13 starts that season, he produced 35 total tackles, eight pass deflections, and one forced fumble. A wrist injury landed him on injured reserve on December 30, 2023, cutting his second campaign short.
In 2024, Butler returned to a depth role, contributing primarily as a special teamer and a backup safety behind starters Quan Martin and Jeremy Chinn. He played in all 17 regular season games, making five starts, and recorded 47 total tackles and one pass deflection. Entering the final year of his rookie deal, he signed a one-year contract extension on July 25, 2025, securing his place with the Commanders.
Notable Events and Milestones
Butler’s selection in the 2022 NFL draft marked a significant milestone as the 113th overall pick. His transition into a starting role during the 2023 season and his second-team All-Sun Belt recognition in 2021 stand out as key career highlights. Signing a contract extension in July 2025 further confirmed his continued value to the Commanders organization.
Percy Butler Career Wins
Butler’s career to this point has been defined by steady contributions on defense and special teams rather than headline-grabbing statistical totals. He has appeared in regular season games in each of his first three NFL seasons, gradually earning a larger role before settling back into a depth and special teams role in 2024. His career NFL statistics include 136 tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and 10 pass deflections.
Defensive Highlights
In 2022, Butler recorded his first career fumble recovery. He also posted his first career pass breakup that same season. During the 2023 campaign, Butler produced a career-high eight pass deflections while starting 13 games at free safety. He added his first career forced fumble that year as well. In 2024, he appeared in all 17 games, starting five, and posted 47 tackles.
Percy Butler Family
Personal Life
Percy Butler III was born and raised in Plaquemine, Louisiana, where he attended Plaquemine High School before continuing his football career at the University of Louisiana. Public details about his immediate family and personal relationships have not been widely reported.
2025 Season Performance
Butler enters the 2025 season coming off a 2024 campaign in which he played in all 17 regular season games and started five. He signed a one-year contract extension with the Washington Commanders on July 25, 2025, confirming his continued presence in the team’s secondary and special teams units. The extension came as he was preparing to enter what would have been the final season of his original rookie deal.
With Quan Martin and Jeremy Chinn expected to lead the safety group, Butler is positioned to contribute primarily as a special teamer and rotational defensive back. His experience starting 13 games in 2023 gives the Commanders a trusted option if injuries or performance create a need for additional playing time on defense. Special teams coverage and tackling consistency are likely to remain central to his role.
As the 2025 season unfolds, Butler’s blend of experience, versatility, and familiarity with the Washington system makes him a steady contributor for the Commanders. A productive year could position him for further contract opportunities beyond this extension, while continued growth as a coverage defender would strengthen his case for a larger defensive role in future seasons.