The Butler football coaching staff announced the addition of 19 student-athletes to the program on Wednesday afternoon as part of National Signing Day.
“It’s a great day for Butler Football,” Head Coach Kevin Lynch explained. “Our staff has worked very hard over the last six weeks to identify student-athletes that will represent Butler with pride and integrity!”
The first wave of the 2025 recruiting class includes 10 offensive players and nine that will line up in the defensive huddle. The complete breakdown includes one quarterback, one running back, three wide receivers, three offensive linemen and two tight ends. The defensive side consists of three defensive linemen, two linebackers and four defensive backs.
“We are off to a great start in regard to our 2025 recruiting class,” Lynch added. “All the young men that signed today are perfect fits to this program academically, athletically, and socially. Our staff attacked many different position groups that will help this football team overall. It is also a great mix of local talent and kids from across the country as we cover nine states! We can’t wait to welcome them all this summer!”
Nathan Ash
DL
6-3, 215
Fishers, Ind.
Fishers H.S.
Ash was a two-year starter at Fishers while playing for head coach Curt Funk. His 2024 team went 7-5 and won a Sectional Championship. Ash recorded 88 total tackles as a senior which included 11 tackles for loss. He broke up four passes and returned an interception for a touchdown. The 2024 All-Conference selection earned his team’s defensive warrior award and was Academic All-State in the classroom.
Why Ash Chose Butler
“Butler was the first school to take a chance on me. Since that day, it has felt like home. Butler is only thirty minutes away from my hometown and has a world class education that I couldn’t pass up. All around, I am glad to call Butler my home because it has everything I want, everything I need and more!”
Wyatt Bakker
OL
6-2, 295
Nashville, Tenn.
Father Ryan H.S.
Bakker was a two-year starter on the offensive line at Father Ryan High School playing under the direction of Brian Rector. The Irish went 7-5 during his senior year. At the start of that season, Bakker was the Tennessean Preseason Lineman of the Year. Off the field, Bakker is an honor roll student.
Why Bakker Chose Butler
“My whole life I grew up a Bulldog fan. The people and fanbase are amazing. The second I stepped on campus it felt like home. On top of that, the Lacy School of Business is amazing!”
Zach Beitler
LB
6-0, 207
Shorewood, Ill.
Joliet Catholic Academy
Beitler was a two-year starter for head coach Jake Jaworski at Joliet Catholic Academy. Over his final two seasons with the Hilltoppers, Joliet Catholic won 20 games and claimed a conference championship while making two state final appearances. He was responsible for 54 total tackles during his senior season with four tackles for loss and two sacks. Beitler is a versatile defender that also had three interceptions. Those stats allowed him to be selected as an All-Conference talent in 2024. He also made the Hearld News All-Area Football Team as a senior. As a junior, Beitler had 55 tackles, and two picks.
Why Beitler Chose Butler
“I chose Butler because of the great athletics and academic opportunities.”
Madden Beriault
DB
6-1, 177
Indianapolis, Ind.
Warren Central H.S.
Beriault was a three-year starter for head coach Mike Kirschner at Warren Central High School here in Indianapolis. He was part of a Sectional Championship team that posted a 10-2 overall record. Warren Central was ranked as high as No. 3 in the state last year and had one of the best defenses in all of Indiana. As a senior, Beriault tied the Warren Central single-season record with 10 interceptions. He also had 65 total tackles. Those eye-popping stats allowed him to be named First Team All-State (IFCA Top 50), First Team All-Marion County, and First Team All-Conference. Off the gridiron, Beriault was a First Team Academic All-State honoree that was also selected as a Colts Academic All-Star.
Why Beriault Chose Butler
“I chose Butler for the academics, the athletics, and because it is close to home.”
Kevork Buchaklian
OL
6-4, 240
Racine, Wis.
Case H.S.
Buchaklian was a two-way player at Racine Case that helped his 2024 team post a 9-2 record that included a 6-1 mark in conference action. He will be able to focus on football at Butler after being a three-sport athlete at Case competing in football, basketball and track and field.
Michael Dellumo
RB
5-8, 185
Park Ridge, Ill.
Maine South H.S.
Dellumo was a three-year starter at Maine South rushing the ball for head coach Dave Inserra. The Hawks won 29 games during that stretch and reached the quarterfinals three times. Dellumo was named All-State as a senior, rushing for 1,878 yards and 23 touchdowns. He recorded 1,765 rushing yards as a junior while adding 22 touchdowns. Even his sophomore stats were eye-popping with Dellumo recording 1,248 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns. Altogether, Dullumo was a three-time All-Conference pick, a two-time All-Area selection and he capped off his career earning Player of the Year honors in the conference. Off the gridiron, Dellumo was a three-time All-State Academic selection.
Why Dellumo Chose Butler
“Butler is a great school with a ton of connections. The coaching staff is amazing and I believe that Butler knows how to win.”
Okemdi Eze
DL
6-1, 217
Kettering, Ohio
Archbishop Alter H.S.
Eze recorded 106 total tackles as a senior including 16 tackles for loss. The First Team All-Conference selection also recovered three fumbles during the 2024 campaign helping his team make an appearance in the semi-finals.
Michael Flynn
DB
6-3, 190
Orland Park, Ill.
Marist H.S.
Flynn was a two-year starter at Marist playing for head coach Mike Fitzgerald. He helped his team record 22 wins during that span while playing as a team captain. Flynn is an honor roll student in the classroom that was also tabbed All-Conference honorable mention while at Marist.
Why Flynn Chose Butler
“Opportunity for a great education, great football team, and a great community.”
Payton Foley
LB
6-2, 225
Greenfield, Ind.
Greenfield Central H.S.
Foley was a three-year starter at Greenfield Central High School under the guidance of head coach Travis Nolting. His graduating class helped the program record over 30 wins which resulted in the first four winning seasons in program history. During his senior season, Foley recorded 86 total tackles including 14.5 tackles for loss and six sacks. He forced three fumbles, recovered three fumbles, broke up six passes and picked off a pass to be named All-State and All-Conference. Foley had huge numbers during his junior year as well with 73 tackles and five sacks. He made 20 stops behind the line of scrimmage. In the classroom, Foley was an Academic All-State selection.
Why Foley Chose Butler
“Butler has a great atmosphere and the coaching staff just makes it feel like home. Butler also offers me the opportunity to achieve my dreams on the field, while also getting a great education.”
Tanner Huckfelt
QB
6-0, 187
Magnolia, Texas
Concordia Lutheran H.S.
Huckfelt was a three-year starter at Concordia Lutheran playing for head coach Willie Amendola. Over those three years, Huckfelt passed for 4,526 yards and 52 touchdowns. He was an honorable mention All-District selection as a junior and senior. Huckfelt was also a First Team All-Conference honoree and the Conference Player of the Year as a senior.
Why Huckfelt Chose Butler
“I chose Butler for its strong academic programs that will prepare me for my professional life beyond football. Indianapolis is also ideal for networking and internships in my field of study.”
Jonathan Kahn
TE
6-4, 247
Park Ridge, Ill.
Notre Dame College Prep
Tulane Transfer
Kahn won two conference championships while playing for head coach Mike Hennessey at Notre Dame College Prep. Prior to attending Tulane, Kahn was recognized as the Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman at Notre Dame College Prep. He was a four-time American Athletic Conference Academic All-Conference selection at Tulane that moved forward to be named the Football Student-Athlete of the Year. On the gridiron, Tulane won the American Athletic Conference Championship in 2022. They were also Cotton Bowl Champions in 2023.
Why Kahn Chose Butler
“Butler gives me a great opportunity to play for a conference championship and allows me to get a great degree.”
Conlon Kane
WR
6-4, 205
Evanston, Ill.
Loyola Academy
Kane was part of a 12-2 team that went undefeated in conference play at Loyola Academy under head coach Beau Desherow. The Ramblers won their conference championship on their way to winning the State Championship. Kane caught 26 passes as a senior to top 400 receiving yards while also scoring six touchdowns. He had four receptions and 101 yards against Brother Rice, scoring two touchdowns in the game.
Why Kane Chose Butler
“I chose Butler because of the great people surrounding the program and the school.”
Cole Kreuzer
TE
6-4, 223
Saline, Mich.
Saline H.S.
Kreuzer helped Saline post a 7-4 record during the 2024 season. He was part of two conference championship teams under the guidance of head coach Kyle Short and was an honorable mention all-conference selection as a senior.
Why Kreuzer Chose Butler
“The coaches and players are great. The style of offense fits perfect for me as a player. It also felt like home right when I stepped on campus.”
Will McCorison
OL
6-2, 285
Wausau, Wis.
Wausau West H.S.
McCorison was a three-year starter at Wausau West playing under the guidance of Matt Johnson. He didn’t allow a sack during his senior year and was a two-time unanimous First Team All-Conference selection.
Why McCorison Chose Butler
“I chose Butler because I loved the coaches and players that I met. I also loved the Lacy School of Business and the location in Indianapolis.”
Corban McDaniel
DB
5-8, 185
Apex, N.C.
Cardinal Gibbons H.S.
McDaniel was a three-year starter for head coach Steven Wright at Cardinal Gibbons High School. He was part of a 12-2 team last year that pushed forward to win a State Title. Cardinal Gibbons won four-straight conference championships during McDaniel’s career. He ended that four-year stretch with 54 tackles during his senior season. As a junior, McDaniel tallied 81 tackles and he added 32 as a sophomore. This three-time All-Conference selection was the team’s Defensive Player of the Year for his team in 2024 and was a two-time team captain. In the classroom, McDaniel is an honor roll student.
Why McDaniel Chose Butler
“I chose Butler because of the great balance of athletic and academic opportunities that the school provides.”
Joe Rodi
DL
6-3, 230
Hinsdale, Ill.
Benet Academy H.S.
Rodi was a three-year starter at Benet Academy under the direction of head coach Pat New. During his senior season, the Redwings posted a 7-4 record that included a 3-0 mark in conference. They were tabbed Chicago Catholic League Purple Division Champs in 2024 and made the Sweet 16 of the Playoffs. An All-Conference and All-County selection, Rodi recorded 42 total tackles in his senior campaign including 13 tackles for loss and five sacks. He was a two-time team captain and an honor roll student in the classroom.
Why Rodi Chose Butler
“I chose Butler because of the academics, as well as the opportunity to play competitive football.”
Emmett Romeus
WR
6-0, 181
Oak Park, Ill.
Fenwick H.S.
Romeus was a two-year starter for head coach Matt Battaglia at Fenwick High School. The Friars won the 2024 Chicago Catholic League White Conference Championship last year with Romeus playing as a team captain. The 2024 Co-Offensive Team MVP averaged over 15 yards per reception over his career.
Why Romeus Chose Butler
“Butler gives me the opportunity to play football for a competitive program at a great academic institution. I also couldn’t pass up an opportunity to play alongside my older brother (Elijah).
Mason Strader
DB
6-0, 190
Libertyville, Ill.
Libertyville H.S.
Strader was a two-year starter at Libertyville playing for head coach Mike Jones. In the fall, Strader helped his team post a 9-2 record that resulted in a conference championship. He had 48 tackles in his senior year which followed up an impressive junior campaign that included 75 tackles. The All-Conference and All-Area selection was a team captain and an honor roll student in the classroom.
Why Strader Chose Butler
“Butler was a place that felt like home, I loved the coaching staff, academics, and facilities.”
