Butler sending 15 players to NCAA football programs

Another strong sophomore class of the Butler Grizzlies football team will be transferring to NCAA Division I FBS program across the nation.

Five Grizzlies signed letters of intent on Wednesday at a ceremony held inside the Criss Football Complex on the Butler campus, including three defensive linemen. They join 10 sophomores who signed in December and are already at their respective four-year institutions for the spring semester. Nine of the 15 players are Kansas natives.

The Big 12, Big 10 and Big East are among the conferences that will add Butler transfers.

"I am very excited for the Division I opportunities that our student athletes have earned," said Butler coach Troy Morrell. "They were a great group who have worked hard each day and have enjoyed tremendous success on the field as well as in the classroom. It was a pleasure coaching these guys and it will be exciting to follow them at their next home."

The sophomores leave after compiling a record of 22-2 over the past two seasons, winning back-to-back undefeated Jayhawk Conference and Region VI playoff championships, finishing No. 2 in the final national poll each season.

Those who signed on Wedneday were defensive lineman Chaquil Reed (Kansas State), defensive lineman Roland Johnson (Minnesota), tight end Neil Shortell (Connecticut) and defensive back Zach Miller and defensive lineman Xavier Melton (Troy).

Those who signed in December included quarterback Chandler Whitmer (Connecticut), defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (Boise State), running back Jasper Sanders and defensive back D.J. Wakes (South Dakota), Cortez Webb (Alabama-Birmingham), offensive tackle Nate Haremza (Southern Illinois), wide receiver Kendall Wrenn (Midwestern State), offensive lineman Greg List (Fort Hays State) and kicker/punter Connor Frazell (Pittsburg State).

Safety Dyllan Schellenburg had a scholarship offer to Alabama-Birmingham, but instead opted to take a preferred walk-on role at Kansas State.

Butler has had at least 14 players transfer to NCAA football programs following each season since 1998. The Grizzlies, who have a record of 149-17 while winning 12 conference titles and five national championships in that 14-year span, have had former players transfer to programs including LSU, Florida, Michigan, Oregon, Oklahoma, Nebraska, South Carolina and Georgia. Three former Grizzlies have played in BCS national title games since 2001.