Percy Butler III Bio
Percy Butler III is an American professional football safety and special teamer for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He was born on May 29, 2000, in Plaquemine, Louisiana, and attended Plaquemine High School before playing college football for the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns from 2018 to 2021. The Washington Commanders selected Butler in the fourth round with the 113th overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract on June 21, 2022, and has continued his professional career with the franchise, most recently signing a one-year contract extension in July 2025. Butler has emerged as a versatile defensive back who contributes both as a starting safety and on special teams coverage units.
Early Life and Background
Percy Butler III grew up in Plaquemine, Louisiana, where he attended Plaquemine High School. During his high school career, Butler played both wide receiver and defensive back, showcasing his dual athletic ability on the football field. As a senior, he earned second-team all-state honors as a defensive back, recognizing his standout performance in the secondary. Beyond football, Butler was a multi-sport athlete at Plaquemine, competing on the track team in both the triple jump and long jump events. His athletic versatility and competitive drive during high school laid the foundation for his future football career at the collegiate level.
Despite receiving offers from programs including Southern Miss and Texas State, Butler chose to continue his football journey close to home. He committed to play for the University of Louisiana, a decision that allowed him to develop his skills in the Sun Belt Conference while remaining connected to his Louisiana roots. Butler entered the program as a 2-star recruit, bringing modest recruiting rankings but significant potential for growth.
Path to the NFL
Butler arrived at the University of Louisiana with the intention of earning playing time in the Ragin’ Cajuns secondary. His freshman season was brief, as he appeared in only six games before suffering an injury that ended his campaign early. The setback provided motivation during his recovery, and Butler returned determined to establish himself as a key contributor to the defense.
His sophomore season marked a breakthrough, as Butler appeared in all 14 of Louisiana’s games with 12 starts. He recorded 54 tackles, broke up two passes, and forced three fumbles, demonstrating his ability to make plays against the run and in coverage. The strong performance built momentum for his junior and senior seasons, where he continued to refine his craft. As a junior, he accumulated 44 tackles with two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, six passes broken up, and two interceptions. His senior year proved his most productive, as he recorded 61 tackles, three fumble recoveries, and one interception while earning second-team All-Sun Belt honors. Butler also participated in the 2022 NFL Combine, showcasing his athletic abilities to professional scouts.
Percy Butler III Career
Rookie Season (2022)
Entering the 2022 NFL Draft, Butler’s college production and versatility caught the attention of teams seeking defensive back depth. The Washington Commanders selected him in the fourth round with the 113th overall pick, addressing their secondary needs through the draft. Upon joining the organization, Butler signed his four-year rookie contract on June 21, 2022, officially beginning his professional career. The coaching staff identified his special teams ability and defensive back skills as assets that could contribute immediately during his rookie season.
Throughout the 2022 season, Butler appeared in 15 games as a rookie, gradually adapting to the speed and complexity of NFL competition. He accumulated 11 total tackles, one fumble recovery, and one pass breakup during his inaugural campaign. The experience gained as a rookie provided valuable lessons about NFL game speed, defensive schemes, and the demands of professional-level special teams play. By season’s end, Butler had established himself as a reliable depth piece in the defensive backfield and a contributor on coverage units.
Breakthrough Season (2023)
The 2023 season presented Butler with his first significant opportunity to claim a starting role. When starting free safety Darrick Forrest was placed on injured reserve, Butler stepped in beginning with Week 6 and assumed the starting responsibilities. The expanded role allowed him to display the coverage skills and instincts developed during his college career and rookie season. His performance throughout the season demonstrated his ability to handle the increased responsibilities of a full-time starting safety.
Butler’s 2023 campaign was cut short when the Commanders placed him on injured reserve on December 30 due to a wrist injury. Despite the early end to his season, the year represented meaningful growth as he appeared in 15 games with 13 starts, recording 35 total tackles, eight pass deflections, and one forced fumble. The eight pass deflections highlighted his improved ball skills and ability to disrupt opposing passing attacks. The wrist injury required offseason recovery but did not diminish the organization’s confidence in his long-term potential.
Washington Commanders Era (2024–Present)
Heading into the 2024 season, Butler returned to a rotational role following the acquisitions of additional defensive back talent. He primarily contributed as a special teamer and backup safety behind established starters Quan Martin and Jeremy Chinn. Despite the reduced starting opportunities, Butler remained a consistent presence on special teams coverage units while providing quality depth in the secondary. His professionalism and readiness when called upon reflected his commitment to team success regardless of his individual role.
The 2024 season saw Butler appear in all 17 regular season games with five starts, accumulating 47 total tackles and one pass deflection. The durability and availability he displayed throughout the season reinforced his value to the organization. Entering the final year of his rookie contract, Butler and the Commanders reached an agreement on a one-year contract extension in July 2025, ensuring his continued presence with the franchise. The extension acknowledged his contributions across three seasons and his potential for continued development.
Playing Style and Strengths
Butler operates as a instinctive safety with the versatility to play both deep coverage and near the line of scrimmage. His ball skills have improved consistently throughout his professional career, evidenced by his increasing pass deflection totals season by season. Butler brings physicality to his tackling and demonstrates willingness in run support, qualities that serve him well on special teams where he has earned consistent playing time. His experience starting 18 games across the 2023 and 2024 seasons provides a foundation of game-ready knowledge that benefits his defensive backfield teammates.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Butler’s professional milestones, his Week 6 elevation to starting free safety in 2023 represented his most significant role to that point. The opportunity came through performance and circumstances rather than draft status, demonstrating his ability to compete and earn playing time within the NFL. His eight pass deflections during the 2023 season marked a single-season career high, illustrating his development into a playmaker in the secondary. The wrist injury that ended his 2023 season required resilience during recovery, and his return to full participation in 2024 showed his durability and commitment to the game.
Percy Butler III Career Statistics
Through four seasons with the Washington Commanders from 2022 to 2025, Butler has established himself as a reliable contributor on defense and special teams. His career trajectory shows consistent improvement in tackling efficiency and coverage skills, with his pass deflection numbers reflecting increasingly refined ball skills. Butler has appeared in 62 total games with 18 starts across his professional career, amassing meaningful statistical production in all four seasons.
NFL Career Highlights
Butler’s rookie season provided the foundation, with 11 tackles, one fumble recovery, and one pass breakup across 15 games. The 2023 season represented his most productive year statistically, as he recorded 35 tackles, eight pass deflections, and one forced fumble despite the season-ending injury. His 2024 campaign featured 47 tackles and one pass deflection across all 17 games, demonstrating his availability and durability throughout the season. As of the 2025 season, Butler has accumulated career totals of 136 tackles, 10 pass deflections, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Special Teams Contributions
Beyond his defensive contributions, Butler has carved out a consistent role on special teams coverage units throughout his career. His tackling ability and willingness to contribute on kicking plays have kept him active on game days regardless of his defensive role. Special teams performance often determines roster placement for defensive backs, and Butler’s reliable contributions in this phase have reinforced his standing within the organization.
| Season | Team | Games | Starts | Tackles | Pass Deflections | Forced Fumbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Washington Commanders | 15 | 0 | 11 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | Washington Commanders | 15 | 13 | 35 | 8 | 1 |
| 2024 | Washington Commanders | 17 | 5 | 47 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | Washington Commanders | — | — | — | — | — |
Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information regarding Percy Butler III’s family background, parents, siblings, or extended family is not widely available in verified sources. Butler has maintained a relatively private personal life away from the football field, with his public profile focused primarily on his athletic career. Any details regarding family background or personal relationships would require confirmation from reliable sources before inclusion.
Personal Life
Butler continues to represent the Washington Commanders as he enters the 2025 season under his new contract extension. His Instagram presence (@percy3x) occasionally provides glimpses into his life outside football, though he generally keeps personal matters private. The Plaquemine, Louisiana native maintains connections to his hometown community and takes pride in representing his Louisiana roots at the professional level. His journey from Plaquemine High School to the NFL exemplifies the path many successful athletes take from smaller markets to professional sports.
2025 Season Performance
Percy Butler III enters the 2025 NFL season with renewed commitment to the Washington Commanders following his one-year contract extension signed in July 2025. The extension represents the organization’s continued confidence in his abilities as both a defensive back and special teams contributor. With his rookie contract concluded, Butler now operates under a new agreement that acknowledges his established role within the franchise while providing opportunity for continued contribution.
The 2025 season presents Butler with the challenge of maintaining his roster position and contributing meaningfully on a team that continues to develop its defensive identity. His experience across three full seasons provides valuable institutional knowledge that can benefit younger players in the secondary. The safety position competition within the Commanders’ roster ensures that Butler must continue performing at a high level to secure playing time and starts.
Butler’s dual capability as a starting safety and special teams performer gives him value that extends beyond raw statistical production. Coaches value his versatility, durability, and professional approach to preparation. As the 2025 season unfolds, Butler will aim to remain healthy, contribute consistently on defense and special teams, and help the Commanders compete within the NFC East division. The extension provides both security and motivation as he works to solidify his long-term future with the franchise.