INDIANAPOLIS -- The Butler football team added 12 talented student-athletes to the roster after National Signing Day (Feb. 7) to complete their 2024 recruiting class. This group of newcomers includes five defensive players and seven on offense. 10 of the 12 transferred to campus while two are true freshmen.
 
The 2024 season is just 25 days away with Butler set to host Upper Iowa on August 31. The Pioneer Football League opener is another home game for the Bulldogs on Oct. 5. That date will double as Homecoming Weekend for BU.
 
The Bulldog coaching staff added transfers to the program from Ball State, Dartmouth, Georgetown, Illinois State, Missouri Southern State, Northern Illinois, and Wabash. Head Coach Mike Uremovich also made some adjustments to the coaching staff over the off-season.
 
Adam Siwicki will serve as the team's defensive coordinator in 2024 while continuing to coach the Bulldog defensive line. Rory Mannering will take over as the linebackers coach while also assisting the program as the assistant head coach. Former BU student-athlete Eddie Schott will stay on campus as the team's quarterback coach and former BU defensive lineman Sam Urbanski is on board as the team's defensive analyst. Jake DelCampo and Byron Hubbard join Urbanski as defensive analysts in 2024. Ty Morgan will serve as the team's director of football operations, Ben Dessauer is the director of player personnel, and Donald Kane is the assistant director of football operations.
 
Kwame Achampong
6-5, 285
DL
Chicago, Ill.
Saint Patrick H.S.
Georgetown Transfer

Prior to Butler: Spent three seasons at Georgetown… Appeared in one game during the 2023 season… Recorded 10 tackles (6 solo) over nine games in 2022… Credited with three tackles over the span of four games in 2021.

High School: Four-year starter and three-year team captain… Earned All-Conference honors as a senior… Team captain on the basketball team.

Personal: Son of Kwaku Achampong and Grace Agyemang… Has a sibling named Nana.

Why Achampong Chose Butler
"I'm ready to win games and grow as a football player."
 
Derek Allen Jr.
6-0, 190
WR
Indianapolis, Ind.
Warren Central H.S.
Wabash Transfer

Prior to Butler: All-NCAC First Team selection for the second consecutive season in 2023… Member of the 2024 National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society… Caught a team-best 62 passes for 810 yards and 12 touchdowns... Ranked second among conference wide receivers in touchdown catches… Ranked third in receiving yards, yards per game (80.7) and yards per catch (6.2)… Hauled in a school-record 90-yard touchdown pass in a victory over Wooster… Finished his career ranked third in school history averaging 5.37 receptions per game and sixth in career touchdown catches with 25… His 2,498 receiving yards rank seventh in Wabash history… His 161 career receptions are the eighth-most by a Wabash player… Earned First Team All-North Coast Athletic Conference honors in 2022... Named to D3football.com All-Region 4 Third Team... Led the Little Giants with 56 receptions for 913 yards... Caught eight touchdown passes, second-most on the team... Averaged 91.3 receiving yards per game and 16.3 yards per catch.... Ranked third among conference receivers and 31st in the nation in receiving yards per game... Third in the conference in touchdown receptions... Second in the conference and 35th in the nation in total receiving yards... Caught a career-high eight passes for 173 yards and three TDs in the season-opening win over Hampden-Sydney... Added two more 100+ yard games with 140 receiving yards at Oberlin (five receptions) and 133 yards versus Kenyon (six receptions)... Caught eight passes for 54 yards at Wittenberg... Added single touchdown receptions against Wooster, Ohio Wesleyan, Hiram, and Kenyon... Caught TD passes in four consecutive games... Tied his career-long with a  75-yard reception against Hampden-Sydney… Ranked second on the team in 2021 with 43 receptions for 775 yards... Third on the team with five touchdown catches... Set single-game marks with seven receptions against Oberlin (Oct. 9), Ohio Wesleyan (Oct. 23), and Wittenberg (Nov. 6)... Finished with a season-best 181 yards and two touchdowns at Kenyon on five receptions... Caught a career-long 75-yard pass in the game at Kenyon... Carried the ball five times for seven yards and one TD... Scored his only rushing touchdown on a seven-yard run at Rose-Hulman... Received the Wabash Football Newcomer of the Year Award.

High School: Earned a varsity letter in football at Warren Central High School... Played on the Warriors' 2018 State Championship team.

Personal: Son of Kristine Teruel… Has six siblings… Strategic Communications major.

Why Allen Jr. Chose Butler
"I chose Butler to expand my knowledge and maximize the resources I have to become successful in life."
 
Drew Cassens
6-2, 240
TE
Downers Grove, Ill.
Downers Grove North
Northern Illinois Transfer

Before Butler: Played in 11 games during the 2023 season; missing just the Toldeo game and Arkansas State Bowl Game… Played in four of five games in 2022 beginning with his debut versus Toledo… Caught three passes for 19 yards including a four-yard touchdown reception against the Rockets… Saw action in the Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan and Western Michigan games… Saw action in 10 games in 2021 as a member of Huskie special teams units… Played on the kickoff return and punt teams… After missing the first two games of the year, played in the next 10 games of the season beginning at Michigan (9-18)… Returned three kickoffs for 19 yards… Had one return for three yards at Buffalo (11-17)… Two returns for 16 yards versus Western Michigan (11-23) with a long of 10 yards… Threw one incomplete pass on the year, on a fake punt attempt in the first quarter of the Eastern Michigan game (10-2).

High School: Three-year letterwinner…  Two-way starter at quarterback and safety… Served as team captain in 2019… Named team Offensive MVP during junior and senior seasons… Earned West Suburban Silver MVP honors in 2019 after rushing for 1,513 yards and 18 touchdowns while throwing for 620 yards and four TDs… Compiled 190 career tackles, three forced fumbles and four interceptions… Rushed for 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns while throwing for 650 yards and two TDs in nine games in 2018… Tallied 55 tackles, one fumble recovery, and two interceptions in 2018… Helped lead the Trojans to the 2017 Class 8A playoffs… Earned Academic All-Conference and was on the honor roll.

Personal: Son of Wendy and Todd Cassens… Mechanical engineering major.
 
D'Marco Cross
6-3, 260
DL
St. Louis, Mo.
Lafayette Jefferson H.S.
Illinois State Transfer

Prior to Butler: Saw playing time in eight games during the 2023 season at Illinois State… Made a season-high three tackles in the season opener vs. Dayton… Saw action in nine games during the 2022 season… Ended the year with seven tackles, one sack and one QB hurry… Best performance included a sack and two tackles in the Illinois State win over Eastern Illinois… Played in two games during the 2021 season… Took a redshirt year in the Spring 2021 season.

High School: Two-year starter… Averaged six tackles per game as a senior, while helping the team to a 9-1 record and a conference championship… Earned all-conference and all-state honors in his final season, while serving as a team captain and a member of the team's leadership council… Played in all 10 games as a junior, earning all-conference honors… Helped his team win a conference title… Averaged over five tackles per game… Earned a varsity letter in basketball.

Personal: Son of Kenneth Cross and Sheila Blair… Has six siblings… Strategic Communications major.

Why Cross Chose Butler
"I wanted to attend grad school in Indiana and be part of something great."
 
Tommy Diamond
6-3, 220
LB
Geneva, Ill.
Geneva Community H.S.

High School: Two-time First Team All-Conference selection… Two-year starter… Team Captain… First Team All-Area honoree… Recorded 58 tackles as a senior and 68 as a junior… Recorded 20 tackles in a single-game during his junior season… Came up with 14 tackles and three sacks in a game as a sophomore… Two-time academic all-conference selection… IHSA Scholar.

Personal: Son of Mark and Liza Tainton… Has four siblings; Will, Maddy, Gaby, and Josh… Business major.

Why Diamond Chose Butler
"I chose Butler so I could play competitive football and be challenged in the classroom. Butler is a place that can challenge you both athletically and academically."
 
Billy Dozier III
5-11, 200
RB
Joliet, Ill.
Lincoln Way West H.S.
Northern Illinois Transfer

Prior to Butler: Played in all 13 games at NIU during the 2023 season, making two starts… Started in the season opener at Boston College… Got the start at Akron… Caught six passes to record 66 yards… Averaged 11 yards per catch and 5.1 yards per game… Hauled in a season-long 24-yard pass at Toledo… Recorded a 17-yard reception at Nebraska… Caught two passes for 22 yards vs. Western Michigan… Rushed the ball four times to net four yards… Longest rush covered five yards at Boston College… Matched that effort with a five-yard rush vs. Tulsa… Recorded a tackle at Kent State… Valuable special teams player that returned 10 kick-offs for 158 yards… Averaged 15.8 yards per kick return… Longest return covered 29 yards at Toledo… Returned four kicks vs. the Rockets to end the contest with 86 yards… All-purpose utility player for NIU in 2022… Saw action in all 12 games on offense and special teams… Started the Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan games at wide receiver… Returned eight kickoffs for 138 yards to average 17.2 yards per return… Caught three passes, had five carries and made three tackles… Came up with a career-long 42-yard kickoff return at Kentucky… Returned a kickoff 21 yards in the win at Western Michigan… Made two of his three tackles on the year versus Vanderbilt… Rushed the ball twice at WMU and again in the Akron game… Caught two passes and had one rush versus Miami… Played on the kickoff, kickoff return, punt and punt return teams over the course of the season… Split time between wide receiver and running back… Played in all 14 games during the 2021 season… Saw action on multiple special teams units and at wide receiver… Caught two passes for four yards… Made his first career start in the Cure Bowl vs. Coastal Carolina and recorded his second catch… Caught a season-long seven-yard pass at Michigan for his first career reception… Totaled six tackles (five solo) as a member of the kickoff team with one tackle in six different games… Named to the 2021 Academic All-MAC team… Saw action in all six games during the 2020 season… Played on multiple special teams units… Served on the kickoff team for five games and the kickoff return unit for one.

High School: Honorable mention IHSA All-State selection as a senior… Earned All-Area accolades (Daily Southtown)… Named All-Southwest Suburban Conference (Chicago Tribune)… Lincoln Way West Offensive Player of the Year in 2019… Team Captain… Earned two varsity letters… Set school records for most receiving yards in a season (690), most receiving yards in a game (142) and most catches in a game (11)… Caught 44 passes for 690 yards with five touchdowns as a senior…  Added 65 rushes for 360 net yards with five touchdowns TDs… Returned 10 kickoffs for 216 yards and six punts for 42 yards… Honored as the WJOL Player of the Week after catching nine passes for 144 yards and two scores with 42 rushing yards and a TD in a 27-10 playoff-clinching win over Bradley Bourbonnais… Named to the Honor Roll every semester of high school… Earned varsity letters in basketball and track and field.

Personal: Son of Bill and Timika Dozier… Has two siblings; Divine and Raisha… Strategic communications major.

Why Dozier Chose Butler
"The people at Butler made me feel at home. Coach U and the staff has something great going on and I can't wait to be part of it."
 
Luke Jones
5-10, 185
WR
Muncie, Ind.
Monroe Central H.S.
Ball State Transfer

Prior to Butler: Part of the 2023 Ball State Football Team… Did not appear in any games… Received a redshirt for the 2023 season… Made Ball State's Dean's List.

High School: Part of two conference championship teams… Three-time All-Conference and All-State selection… Played quarterback during his senior season, throwing for 926 yards and nine touchdowns… Added 1,058 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns… Limited to just eight games as a junior due to injury… Caught 33 passes for 561 yards and seven touchdowns… Hauled in 43 receptions as a sophomore… Ended the year with 660 yards and 11 touchdowns… Caught 38 passes for 498 yards and eight touchdowns as a freshman… Set the all-time receiving record at Monroe Central… Caught 10 passes in a game vs. Eastern Hancock as a sophomore, ending the game with 145 yards and three touchdowns… Threw for 224 yards and four touchdowns as a senior vs. Sheridan… Added 19 rushes for 148 yards… Also played basketball.

Personal: Son of Ben and Gretchen Jones… Has a sibling named Will… Finance major.

Why Jones Chose Butler
"I love the family atmosphere at Butler and I think my game can blossom under the coaching staff here. Butler also allows me to get a top notch education with a degree that will set me up for life."
 
Onye Onuoha
6-0, 193
DB
Montbello, Colo.
Montbello H.S.
Dartmouth Transfer

Prior to Butler: Part of two Ivy League Championship Teams at Dartmouth… Played in 10 games during his senior season… Made one tackle against Lehigh (9/23)… Sidelined throughout his junior campaign due to injury… Played in nine games as a sophomore in 2021… Made a season-high four solo tackles in his debut against Sacred Heart… Made plays on kickoff coverages in wins on the road at Penn and No. 23 New Hampshire… Unable to play in 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic.

High School: First Team All-5A Metro selection at wide receiver and defensive back… Team captain… Credited (MaxPreps) with 52 tackles in 10 games… Made five interceptions (86 yards)… Defended 10 passes… Made eight career interceptions… also caught 20 passes for 374 yards (18.7 per) and four touchdowns … Participated in track and field.

Personal: Son of Nwaeze and Ifunanya Onuoha… Has a sibling named Amarachi… Working on his MBA.

Why Onuoha Chose Butler
"I chose Butler because winning a championship is the main objective."
 
Nick Schwitzgebel
6-2, 295
OL
Cleveland, Ohio
St. Ignatius H.S.
Dartmouth Transfer

Prior to Butler: Part of two Ivy League Championship teams at Dartmouth… Two-Time All-Ivy League selection… Named All-New England… All-Ivy League honorable mention choice in 2022… Phil Steele All-Ivy League Fourth Team honoree in 2022… Earned the Jake Crouthamel Team Award… Started 10 games at right guard in 2022… Played at right guard in nine of the 10 games during his 2021 sophomore season… Season canceled in 2020 due to Covid-19.

High School: Two-year starter… Two-time team captain… Twice earned all-conference honors… Earned a spot on the Division 1 All-State Second Team as a junior…  Received honorable mention accolades as a senior… Lined up at both tackle and guard for the Wildcats… Named All-Ohio… Scholar athlete… Threw the shotput and discus.

Personal: Son of Patrick and Lisa Schwitzgebel… Working on his MBA at Butler.

Why Schwitzgebel Chose Butler
"I chose Butler to continue my athletic and educational goals at a prestigious university."
 
Shadon Shannon
6-3, 190
DB
Chicago, Ill.
Lincoln Northeast H.S.
Missouri Southern State Transfer

Prior to Butler: Played two seasons at Missouri Southern State (2023, 2022)… Played in seven games during the 2023 season… Recorded 12 tackles (nine solo)… Picked off a pass and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown… Appeared in nine games for the Lions on special teams and as a defensive back drawing two starts as a cornerback in 2022... Finished with 13 tackles (seven solo) with a fumble recovery and one pass breakup... At #11 Northwest Missouri (Nov. 5) had four solo stops… Against Washburn (Nov. 12) had four total tackles with two solo... Recovered a fumble for six yards at Missouri Western (Oct. 29)... Broke up one pass against Lincoln (Oct. 8) and finished with three total tackles… Transferred to Missouri Southern State from Iowa Western Community College (2020-2021)… Played quarterback for the Reivers.

High School: Prepped at Lincoln Northeast High School as a quarterback… Recorded 2,091 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, 666 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns for his career... As a senior was on the Lincoln Southeast High School team that won their District, Conference and City Championship while making a State quarterfinal appearance... On the track was a three time state qualifier in the 400m and 800m runs while placing fifth in the state meet in the 800m… Also involved in the basketball and track and field... Honor Roll student.

Personal: Son of Donna Roberson and Marilyn Shumaker… Has eight siblings… Plans to major in alternative special education.

Why Shannon Chose Butler
"I chose Butler to further pursue my education at a prestigious university and to win championships."
 
Penn Stoller
6-2, 238
TE
Cissna Park, Ill.
Cissna Park H.S.
Wabash Transfer

Prior to Butler: 2023 Preseason First Team All-American (Lindy's Sports College Football)… Preseason Second Team All-American (D3football.com)… Caught 34 passes in 2023 to gain 460 yards… Averaged 13.5 yards per catch and 46 yards per game… Caught six touchdown passes… First Team All-Region selection… Named to the 2023 Academic All-America First Team (CSC)… D3football.com Second Team All-American selection in 2022… First Team All-Region and First Team All-North Coast Athletic Conference selection… Led Wabash and ranked second in the conference (42nd in the nation) with nine touchdown receptions… Caught 41 passes in 2022 for 691 yards… Ranked eighth in the conference in receiving yards… Appeared in two games during the 2021 season.

High School: I8FA First Team All-State selection at quarterback and linebacker... Earned All-Vermillion Valley Conference honors... First Team All-Area… Team captain… Earned four varsity letters… Rushed for 1,469 yards as a senior while passing for 1,695 yards… Scored 25 rushing TD's and threw for 30… Recorded 125 tackles.

Personal: Son of Sam and Sue Stoller… Has three siblings; Samantha, Addison, and Olivia… Pursuing his master's degree in business administration.

Why Stoller Chose Butler
"I chose Butler because it presented me with a great opportunity to continue my academic and athletic journey in a great city."
 
Max Thompson
6-0, 240
LS
Westfield, Ind.
Guerin Catholic H.S.

High School: Three-year starter… Earned four varsity letters… Part of an 8-3 team… Academic honors… Also played basketball.

Personal: Son of Dan and Denise… Has two siblings Evan and Mia… Intends to major in finance.

Why Thompson Chose Butler
"I love the location of the campus and connected with all of the coaches and teammates that I met."