Will attempt to make an comeback in 2000 from a serious knee injury sustained in second game of 1999 vs. SW Texas Stale (Sept 11)...Had ligament and nerve damage, and underwent surgery...The USF Defensive MVP in 1998, he has gained respect as a relentless, fearless and intense player at middle linebacker, and was named a team captain for 1999...outstanding leader by example, he even traveled following surgery to encourage the team...Battled hard to eventually earn starting nod six games into freshman season in 1997, and only a one-game injury kept him from the lineup in his first two seasons...Devastating tackler...Played baseball in 1998...First ever collegiate hit was a home run at Miami...Tremendous desire and dedication, he has been known to watch film in USF Football Office late into night after home games... Attributes may serve him well in comeback effort.. Has changed his jersey number from 50 to 64.
1999: Started in the middle backer spot in each of the first two games...Had 15 tackles, including nine (one for a loss) in the SW Texas game (Sept. 11) in which he injured his knee...Six tackles at I-A San Diego State.
1998: Tied for team-lead with 90 tackles, and led all stands alone at top with 53 solo stops...Nine tackles for 331051 yards was second only to fellow linebacker Demetrius Woods (10-35)...Not called upon to blitz a lot, he did have one sack for 10 yards...AIso forced three fumbles...Had four double figure tackle games, including three straight to end the season, 'when he totaled 33 tackles during that span ... Matched his career-high from 1997 with 13 tackles vs. Elon (Oct. 10) ...Four of his six tackles in season opener vs. Slippery Rock (Sept. 5) were for a loss...Sustained knee sprain in Oct. 17 game vs. Western Kentucky, missing the second half when WKU outscored the Bulls 24-7...AIso missed entire game the following week at Hofstra (Oct. 24), a 50-30 loss, meaning 74 of USF opponents' 178 points (41.2%) on the season came with him out of the defensive lineup.
1997: Second on the team in tackles with 76, despite not starting until the sixth game of the season...Had 42 solo stops and three tackles for loss...Had 25 tackles in first five games, including eight at Elon (Oct. 11) before really breaking loose with 13 tackles in his first career start against Southern Illinois (Oct. 18) ...Had double digit tackles in each of his four starts, including the 13 vs. SIU, 11 vs. Charleston Southern (Nov. 1), 10 vs. Georgia Southern (Nov. 15) and 11 vs. Davidson (Nov. 22), giving him 45 of his 76 tackles in his four starts.
PREP: District Defensive Player of the Year and second team all-state for Class 4A state championship team that upset Jacksonville Bolles, the nation's number one team...A candidate for Florida Football Player of the Year, he earned honorable mention distinction...184 tackles, three sacks, three interceptions (1 TD) and three fumble recoveries... 1996 Winter Haven News-Chief Player of the Year, all district and all-area as a junior and senior...Outstanding baseball player .....Who earned all-district, all-area. and all conference as a sophomore, junior and senior...All-state as a junior and senior.
PERSONAL - Born October 22, 1978 in Lakeland, Fla....Given name is William Jason Butler...Has one sister, Deeann...Enjoys fishing and hunting
