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'I want to be the best': Iowa State WR Hakeem Butler ready to be the No. 1 target

Matthew Bain
The Des Moines Register

AMES, Ia. — Hakeem Butler says he talks to Matt Campbell before each practice. Iowa State’s head coach tells him all the different places he’ll line up that day — all the different ways he’ll be utilized in an offense that loves its receivers.

"Campbell (says), 'You’re going to be here, you’re going to be there,'" Butler told the Register at Iowa State’s media day. "You’ve just got to be prepared for anything."

Iowa State wide receiver Hakeem Butler talks to reporters during media day on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018 in Ames.

Anything.

That’s a good way to describe Butler’s projected role next season. Iowa State loses Allen Lazard, Marchie Murdock and Trever Ryen, who accounted for 159 catches, 1,923 yards and 16 touchdowns.

It’s a big hole. However ... 

Campbell is confident Butler — all 6-foot-6, 220 pounds of him — can be the bell cow of another prodigious wide receivers group this fall. 

"From his standpoint, I think it’s proven," Campbell said. "The proof’s in the pudding. You’re talking about a guy that (has) explosive plays and plays downfield. He maybe was the best guy on our football team last year at doing that for us. I think, for him, again confidence in his game. How do you become that consistency level and continue to take that up another level?"

More from media day:

Butler, a redshirt junior, enjoyed a breakout season last year. He caught the attention of the NFL and finished second on the team with 697 receiving yards, third with 41 receptions and second with seven touchdown catches. He mostly played inside.

This season, coaches plan to use Butler inside, outside — basically anywhere and everywhere. 

"That’s the thing that’s really fun," receivers coach Bryan Gasser said. "Obviously, playing him on the inside — his athleticism played in his favor against linebackers and some of the safeties. And now, on the perimeter, his size plays into his favor where there’s not a whole lot of DBs over 6-1 in our league. It gives him an opportunity to really create some separation.

"He’s a guy that is faster than, I think, a lot of people give him credit for. He can cover a lot of ground in a hurry with his length. And because of his pass-catch radius, you don't have to put the ball right on his body for him to make a play. He's got the ability to extend — whether it’s up, out in front or behind. A lot of different things you can do."

Butler agrees with Gasser. He doesn’t think there’s any defender he won’t have the advantage against. He said he has no preference where he lines up.

"Anywhere I can catch the deep ball," he said with a smile.

This has been a vital offseason for Butler. Not only because eyes turn to him as the "next Allen Lazard" of the offense, but because Butler was one of Iowa State’s non-senior players who asked for feedback from NFL teams after last season. And he's got a shot to be NFL-ready after this season.

At media day, Butler said he’s been focusing on explosiveness and being "consistent at the catch — attacking the ball." Most of the NFL teams' feedback revolved around a need for improved consistency. Butler has been studying film of Lazard and himself from last season, and he said he learned how to use his physicality from watching Lazard, who now plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

"I want to be the best," he said. "That’s what I’m always striving for."

Of course, Butler won’t be the only receiver asked to fill the void. Coaches are high on Matt Eaton so far in camp; Campbell said he might be the most impressive player through the first week. Freshman Joseph Scates is getting good reviews. Iowa State is expecting big things from Deshaunte Jones and Landen Akers, too.

But, as the top returning target, Butler is the leader in that receivers room. Gasser said he’s noticed Butler’s strengths as a leader this offseason — specifically that he’s the type of person who "relishes the opportunity to bring other guys along with him."

Butler said the receivers are his brothers.

"We push each other, but it’s never like a competition," he said. "We’re just trying to get each other better every day. So, with Allen leaving, we know there’s a lot of targets out there and we can split them up, divide them up however they are.

"We all plan on getting catches."

Matthew Bain covers college football and basketball recruiting for the Des Moines Register. He also helps out with Iowa and Iowa State football and basketball coverage for HawkCentral and Cyclone Insider. Contact him at mbain@dmreg.com and follow him on Twitter @MatthewBain_.