Honors & Awards
» Academic All-Big Ten (2018, 2019)
» Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll (Fall 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019; Spring 2017)
» Tom Osborne Citizenship Team (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
» Brook Berringer Citizenship Team (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
2019 (Junior)
Tony Butler, who played his junior season as a graduate student, appeared in four games for Nebraska in 2019. Butler made one special-teams tackle in the season opener against South Alabama, and he also saw action on special teams against No. 5 Ohio State, Northwestern and Minnesota. Butler was a member of Nebraska's travel squad for every road game in 2019.
2018 (Sophomore)
Butler played in 11 games in his junior season, primarily on special teams. Butler also saw action in the secondary against Bethune-Cookman, but he did not record a tackle on the season.
2017 (Redshirt Freshman)
Butler appeared in all 12 games for Nebraska in 2017, providing depth in the secondary while also contributing on special teams. Both of Butler’s tackles came on special teams, as he recorded a tackle as part of Nebraska’s punt coverage unit against both Oregon and Iowa. Butler’s two punt return tackles tied for the team lead.
2016 (Redshirt)
Butler redshirted in his first season in the Nebraska program.
Before Nebraska (St. Edward HS)
Butler was a standout performer at St. Edward High School in Ohio, one of the nation's top prep programs. Butler helped Coach Tom Lomardo's team to a 14-1 record and a Division I state title in 2015. St. Edward finished No. 6 in the final USA Today national prep rankings. Butler recorded 42 tackles as a senior, along with four interceptions and more than 20 breakups. Butler also had an interception in the state championship game. Butler was a first-team Associated Press All-Ohio Division I choice and also was named to the USA Today Ohio all-state team.
Butler also made strong contributions to a state title run in 2014, helping St. Edward to a 13-2 record. Butler recorded 27 tackles, had three interceptions and broke up another 10 passes. Butler sealed a win in the state title game with a fumble recovery. Butler was also a member of the St. Edward varsity team in 2013, when the school finished with an 11-2 record and reached the state semifinals.
Butler was ranked as the No. 1 safety in Ohio by Scout.com, while both ESPN and 247 Sports ranked him among the top 40 cornerback prospects in the country. Both ESPN and 247 Sports also listed him among the top 20 overall prospects in Ohio, while 247 ranked him among the nation's top 400 prospects.
Butler chose Nebraska over West Virginia and Arizona State and also visited Rutgers. He had numerous other offers including Big Ten schools Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota and Purdue. Butler also competed in track and field and made the honor roll as a junior.
Personal
Tony was born on Oct. 17, 1997, and is the son of Angel Butler. He is an ethnic studies major. Tony has volunteered his time with the Nebraska Football Road Race, Husker Heroes, Boo at the Zoo and local hospital and school outreach visits.