/Panthers Sign 2016 First-Round Draft Pick Butler

Panthers Sign 2016 First-Round Draft Pick Butler

The Carolina Panthers have signed 2016 first-round draft choice (30th overall) defensive tackle Vernon Butler, the team announced Friday. All five of the team’s draft choices are now under contract.

Butler, 6-4 and 325 pounds, played in 48 games with 28 starts at Louisiana Tech. He gathered 170 tackles, 29.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, nine quarterback pressures, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and three passes defensed.

As a senior in 2015, Butler started 13 games and was named a first-team All-Conference USA honoree. He posted 50 tackles, including 10 for loss, three sacks, eight quarterback pressures, one fumble recovery and two passes defensed. His efforts helped the Bulldogs rank 13th in the nation and first in the conference in rushing defense for the second consecutive season, allowing 119.3 yards per game.