Kansas filled its vacant spot at tight end on Friday when it earned the commitment of Jailen Butler, a transfer from Old Dominion who will have one year left to play.
Butler has 18 career catches over two seasons of play at the Division I level, for 103 yards and one touchdown. He is originally from Chicago and began his career at Trinity Valley Community College.
During his time at the JUCO level, Butler played wide receiver, and in one season caught 17 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns. He also spent time on the basketball team.
The 6-foot-4 tight end joined Old Dominion prior to the 2023 season and eventually grew to 245 pounds. Butler missed the 2024 campaign due to injury, but between 2023 and 2025 when he was healthy, he started 21 and played in 26 games with 1,099 total offensive snaps according to Pro Football Focus.
He caught his first career touchdown at the Division I level in the Monarchs’ win over Georgia Southern on Nov. 22.
Butler will occupy the scholarship spot left open by Jaden Hamm, a Eudora native who transferred to Arkansas State. Butler will join two key returnees in Carson Bruhn and Leyton Cure and a pair of incoming freshman signees in Kevin Sullivan and Jack Utz.
