The 2023 XFL season has nearly completed, with the championship set to occur on May 13.
This new iteration of the XFL is run by Dwayne Johnson and appears to be more successful than the previous version.
Several players from the XFL have been invited to rookie minicamps, getting a shot in the NFL.
It was recently announced that the Pittsburgh Steelers are giving Hakeem Butler a tryout, per the team, via Dov Kleiman.
Update: XFL WR Hakeem Butler received an NFL tryout invitation to the #Steelers
Butler, who’s 6’5, 227 pounds and runs 4.48 40 time was originally a 4th round pick by the #Cardinals in 2019.
He finished his XFL season with St. Louis with 51 catches, 599 yards and 8 TDs. pic.twitter.com/ruEujXHBza
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) May 5, 2023
On paper, Butler appears to be a fantastic prospect.
Measuring at 6-foot-4 and 227 pounds, Butler profiles as someone who could make an impact on an NFL roster.
He also runs a 4.48 40-yard dash, and as Kleiman highlights, was a fourth-round selection by the Arizona Cardinals in 2019.
Despite Butler’s measurables, he bounced around the NFL between 2019-2021 but never saw the field.
He has since made it to the CFL, again bouncing around before eventually being cut by the Edmonton Elks.
When the XFL came back around, however, Butler seized his opportunity.
During this past season with the St. Louis Battlehawks, Butler had 51 receptions, 599 yards, and eight touchdowns.
Due to this performance, Butler is being given another chance in the NFL, this time with the Steelers.
Currently, the Steelers receiving corps is filled with young talent, led by Diontae Johnson and George Pickens.
If Butler can show the Steelers that he is worthy of a roster spot, his combination of size and speed could make a genuine impact.
Will Butler make an NFL team during the offseason, given his XFL brilliance?
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