Born: February 19, 1995- Chicago, Illinois
Entering 2026:  Years as a Lion: 4th  Years in CFL: 6th   Status: American
Career Games: 72   Playoffs: 5    Grey Cup: 0

Acquired:

Following two seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, James returned to the Lions as a free agent on January 6, 2025. He originally signed with the Lions ahead of 2021 training camp. On January 29, 2026, Butler signed a two-year extension with the Lions.

Career:

2025: It was an impactful return to the West Coast for James, as he finished third overall in the CFL with a career-best 1,213 rushing yards on 229 carries (5.3-yard average). His 11 rushing touchdowns were good for a share of the league lead. The versatile back also added 46 receptions for 439 yards and one major. Butler’s 1,652 combined yards were third-best on the squad behind Seven McGee and Keon Hatcher Sr. In the two Grey Cup Playoffs contests, James added 26 touches for 150 yards from scrimmage, including a team-high 58 rushing yards in the Western Final at Saskatchewan.

2023-24: James moved east to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as a free agent in February 2023. In 27 games across two seasons with the Cats, Butler ran for 1,638 yards and nine touchdowns on 345 carries and added 106 receptions for 899 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The tailback made a big statement in his return to BC in August 2023, racking up 118 rushing yards and a touchdown on 21 carries with three catches for 36 yards and another major. He made one playoff start with Hamilton in the 2023 Eastern Semi-Final, rushing 13 times for 83 yards in the losing effort.

2022: James became a full-time starter in year two with the Lions, leading the squad with 1,444 combined yards and finishing second to Calgary’s Ka’Deem Carey with 1,060 rushing yards. Butler scored 11 touchdowns (seven rushing, four receiving) with his best outing coming in a 59-15 win over Edmonton in week one, where he scored four touchdowns (two rushing, two receiving). Made his playoff debut in the Western Semi-Final win over Calgary, recording 95 rushing yards on 20 carries.

2021: James originally signed with the Lions in December 2020 and suited up in 11 games as the Lions’ feature back. He finished with 497 yards and two touchdowns on 101 carries. The versatile back also added 39 receptions for 243 yards while catching a touchdown pass from Michael Reilly in the season opener at Saskatchewan.

2019: James attended training camp with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and wound up back on the Oakland Raiders’ practice squad following his release.

2018: Landed with the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent and suited up in pre-season before spending the rest of the year on the team’s practice squad.

College:

2017: Transferred to Iowa for his senior season and rushed for 396 yards and a touchdown on 91 carries for the Hawkeyes.

2014-16: James played three seasons with the Nevada Wolfpack, rushing for a total of 3,316 yards and 27 touchdowns while also adding 49 receptions for 438 yards and three majors. He was named Nevada’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2016 and twice earned an All-Mountain West Conference honourable mention.