Harrison Butker Selected by Carolina Panthers in NFL Draft’s 7th Round

Former Georgia Tech kicker Harrison Butker, a four-year starter for Paul Johnson’s Yellow Jacket football team, was selected in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL Draft (233rd overall) by the Carolina Panthers on Saturday afternoon.

Once a highly-rated prospect coming out of Westminster in Atlanta, Butker finished his Georgia Tech career by claiming the all-time scoring title in the Tax Slayer Bowl versus Kentucky. He overcame some early-career demons on mid-range field goals, putting together a spectacular senior season which saw him hit on 88% (15-17) of his attempts while also converting every single extra point attempt.

The first Tech product selected, Butker will continue his football career in the NFL’s NFC South division — one that he’ll share with his hometown Atlanta Falcons. Current Carolina kicker Graham Gano is coming off of a career-worst season as a Panther, having hit on just 78.9% of his field goal attempts and 91% of his extra points. He also carries a hefty $4 million cap hit this season, meaning that the team likely didn’t spend a pick on Butker without the intention of giving him a shot at the starting job.

Congratulations to Harrison Butker on a stellar career as a Yellow Jacket and best of luck to him with Carolina — for all but two weeks of the NFL season.