Oct. 6, 2015
Every Tuesday, the Nevada athletic communications department will post a feature story as part of its Wolf Pack Weekly series. These stories will provide fans with an inside look at the Wolf Pack, and will focus on athletes on the field, in the classroom or in the community.
By Brady Johnson
Assistant Director, Athletic Communications
RENO, Nev. - At 5-foot-9 and 210 pounds with a rare combination of not only size and strength but agility and speed, James Butler is one of the most impactful players on the field every time he suits up for the Wolf Pack football team.
Take for example his 6.5 average yards per carry, his team-leading 426 rushing yards and his impressive career total of 1,061 yards in just 18 games - they're all strong indicators of his on-field importance.
Yet, for all his quantifiable success so early in his career, the sophomore running back might be making an equal impact off the field, where he's developed into one of the team's most exemplary players.
Take for example his volunteering to speak with freshmen on the very first day of fall camp, his selection in the team's leadership committee or his strong academic standing as a communications major with a business minor.
One of the strongest testaments to Butler's character, however, occurred just over two years ago with a selfless decision to look out for others despite being a recruited high school senior with a busy schedule.
"We saw a lot of young kids always hanging out around this section-eight type apartment right next to our high school - Saint Francis," Butler said. "We could tell some of those kids didn't really come from much, so we came up with an idea to try to help out and spread some fun."
That idea, which was cultivated by Butler and a pair of friends, was to form a free sports camp for these kids. The thought was to not only help teach different sports to all participants, but to serve as strong role models and spread joy through sports. And thus, the JRJ Sports Camp - named after James and his two friends, Robert and Justin - was born.
The trio and a few parents got involved and set camp dates for every Tuesday and Thursdays after school. Whether it was football, basketball or dodgeball, they taught multiple sports and games to the participants, and most importantly, made sure everybody had fun doing it.
"We'd go there every Tuesday and Thursday after practice, meet up with all the kids and play with them, whether it was soccer or dodgeball, or even just playing board games if it was raining," Butler said. "To see high school kids try to mentor younger kids, look out for them or just take their minds off whatever they have going on at home - it was pretty to be a part of."
Butler did all this despite also being in the midst of one of the busiest times of his life - being a high school senior hoping to both shine in the classroom and on the football field. Butler rushed for 1,185 yards and 19 touchdowns as a senior at Saint Francis, earning first team all-state honors.
The running back had recruiting interest from multiple teams, including a few power five offers. In the end, Butler chose the team that stuck with him during his junior season, when he was ineligible to play after transferring high schools.
"Coach Erb really stuck with me when a lot of schools didn't," Butler said. "A lot of schools ducked out in the last minute because I didn't play my junior year, but Coach Erb believed in me throughout the process. That meant a lot to me."
Butler made a 2,000 mile journey from Bloomingdale, Ill., a suburb within Chicago, to Reno, Nev., whose primary geographical feature - mountains - he'd never even seen in person before.
Despite the distance, Butler made a smooth transition from high school to college. With the right physical and mental tools, Butler made an immediate impact on the program. He rushed for 635 yards and five touchdowns on 140 carries as a true freshman in 2014 while showing promise and savvy beyond his years.
He's on pace for a 1,000-yard season in 2015, averaging 6.5 yards per carry and over 85 yards per game through Nevada's first five contests. True to his team-first attitude, Butler said his only individual goal coming into the season was to improve as a leader.
"I want to be a better teammate and come out of my shell a little bit," Butler said. "I'm not a real vocal guy, but I want to take on a leadership role. I want to be a captain one day and really want to emerge as a leader. I earned the Battle Born away this summer and I want to live up to that."
Despite it being early in his career, it's undoubted that Butler is living up to what Nevada hopes to find in an athlete, student and person.
Butler and the Wolf Pack return to Mackay Stadium this Saturday, hosting New Mexico (3-2, 1-0). Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. PT between the Pack and Lobos. The game will be broadcast digitally by the MW Network, powered by Campus Insiders.
Wolf Pack Weekly Archive
Sept. 29, 2015 - Khoo sisters, women's golf
Sept. 22, 2015 - Meagan Wood, cross country
Sept. 15, 2015 - Tucker Melcher, football
Sept. 8, 2015 - Lyndsey Anderson, volleyball
Sept. 1, 2015 - Hannah Wuensche, soccer
Aug. 25, 2015 - Shane Cannon, football
