INDIANAPOLIS – Twenty-eight student-athletes from 11 different states make up the 2021 Butler football recruiting class. Head Coach Jeff Voris welcomes 11 newcomers to the offensive unit and 16 on the defensive side of the ball. The Bulldogs also brought in a punter to help solidify their special teams play for the upcoming 2021 fall campaign.
 
"As a staff we did a great job of adjusting our recruiting efforts through a unique year," Head Coach Jeff Voris stated. "As always, we wanted to identify top-tier talent that will help us compete at the highest level in the Pioneer Football League while being great ambassadors to the Butler Way. This class reflects high-academic and high-character young men who will provide welcomed depth and competition at every position.  We are excited for their future and to see their impact in the coming years."
 
Defensive Backs
The Bulldog secondary will have six new student-athletes in the mix when camp opens up tomorrow morning. Defensive Coordinator Joe Cheshire will oversee this position group that includes freshmen Nick Bafia, Andrew Chime, Adam Cipriano, Joseph MacDonald, Kellen Madison and Brayton Spetter.
 
Defensive Line
Up front, new defensive line coach Kenny-Ray Augustus will welcome five newcomers to his position group. Jack Burch, Jake LaBarre, TJ Newnum, Daniel Obwaya and Aidan Shaw all signed with Butler over the offseason.
 
Linebackers
At the second level, Derelle Hankins will work with the inside linebackers and Logan Plumley will focus on the outside linebackers. Five new faces head into camp within this group including Austin Maciel-Haygood, Evan Niemi, Danny Orgler, Alan Shaw II and Adam Sturtz.
 
Offensive Line
BJ Coad brought in seven offensive linemen in the 2020 class so this year's unit will look much different. Adam Dolan and Otto Weight will provide depth in camp and compete amongst their peers for reps during the upcoming fall season.
 
Tight Ends
New tight end coach Austin Taylor will work with three talented recruits in the tight end room. Christian Hazen, Cameron Heald and TJ Winston will give Butler seven total tight ends on the 2021 roster.
 
Wide Receivers
The new wide receivers on the roster include Joey Audia, Thomas Brown, Luke Wooten, and Sam Rogers. Butler had a breakout season from a freshman wide receiver one year ago. Yogi Flager made the jump to the collegiate level and ended his campaign with All-America honors (Hero Sports).
 
Running Backs
In the backfield, Evan Lewis and Kwesi Kyei-Fordjour will take handoffs with running back coach Matthew McCarroll looking on. Butler rushed for 626 yards a year ago, averaging 104.3 yards per game. Kavon Samuels was the team leader with 104 attempts resulting in 395 yards.
 
Special Teams
Noah Hughes will head to campus after a successful high school career as a punter. Hughes averaged 40 yards per punt during his career and boomed a career-long 78 yard punt during his time at Moeller.
 
NEWCOMERS BY POSITION
WR (4)
Joey Audia, 5-10, 175, Pittsburgh, Pa. (South Fayette)
Thomas Brown, 6-4, 175, Wendell, N.C. (Ravenscroft School)
Luke Wooten, 5-10, 180, Danville, Ind. (Danville Community)
Sam Rogers, 6-1, 180, Carmel, Ind. (Carmel)
 
TE (3)
Christian Hazen, 6-3, 260, Huntington Beach, Calif. (Edison)
Cameron Heald, 6-2, 205, Lakewood Ranch, Fla. (Cardinal Mooney)
TJ Winston, 6-5, 215, Maumee, Ohio (Anthony Wayne)
 
RB (2)
Evan Lewis, 5-9, 185, Elizabeth, Pa. (Elizabeth Forward)
Kwesi Kyei-Fordjour, 5-10, 220, Charlotte, N.C. (William Amos Hough)
 
OL (2)
Adam Dolan, 6-8, 275, Clarkston, Mich. (Orchard Lake St. Mary's)
Otto Weight, 6-4, 285, Medina, Ohio (Medina)
 
DL (5)
Jack Burch, 6-3, 225, Louisville, Ky. (Saint Xavier)
Jake LaBarre, 6-3, 250, Birmingham, Mich. (Seaholm)
TJ Newnum, 6-0, 290, Zionsville, Ind. (Zionsville Community)
Daniel Obwaya, 6-1, 250, Blaine, Minn. (Blaine)
Aidan Shaw, 6-2, 265, Mason, Ohio (Moeller)
 
LB (5)
Austin Maciel-Haygood, 6-0, 223, Hegewisch, Ill. (Mount Carmel)
Evan Niemi, 6-3, 215, Rocklin, Calif. (Rocklin)
Danny Orgler, 6-2, 210, Buffalo Grove, Ill. (Stevenson)
Alan Shaw II, 5-11, 215, Mason, Ohio (Moeller)
Adam Sturtz, 6-1, 210, Naperville, Ill. (Naperville North)
 
DB (6)
Nick Bafia, 6-1, 185, Naperville, Ill. (Benet Academy)
Andrew Chime, 6-0, 190, Broadview Heights, Ohio (Saint Ignatius)
Adam Cipriano, 6-2, 175, Upper Arlington, Ohio (Upper Arlington)
Joseph MacDonald, 5-10, 185, Phoenix, Ariz. (Sandra Day O'Connor)
Kellen Madison, 6-1, 180, Davie, Fla. (Saint Thomas Aquinas)
Brayton Spetter, 6-0, 200, Bargersville, Ind. (Center Grove)
 
Punter (1)
Noah Hughes, 6-2, 195, Lebanon, Ohio (Moeller)
 
NEWCOMERS BY STATE
Ohio (7)
Illinois (4)
Indiana (4)
California (2)
Florida (2)
Michigan (2)
Pennsylvania (2)
North Carolina (2)
Arizona (1)
Kentucky (1)
Minnesota (1)