After finishing 8–2 and coming up just short of the Ivy title in the 2022 season, the Princeton football team is facing a significant loss to its roster.
After just one year with the program, standout first-year running back Ryan Butler announced Friday afternoon on Instagram that he will be transferring to Stanford to continue his college football career. The Cardinals are a major-conference program, but struggled in the 2022 season, finishing 3–9 overall and just 1–8 in Pac-12 play. The 2022 Jerry Rice Award finalist had previously entered the transfer portal on November 25.
The running back from Plainfield, N.J. set multiple program records during his first season with Tigers, with perhaps the most impressive being his 11 touchdowns on the season, which set the highest mark for first-year rushing touchdowns in team history. He also amassed 501 rushing yards on the season, and earned five Ivy League Rookie of the Week awards.
In his first collegiate game of his career, he immediately made an impact against Stetson, rushing for two touchdowns and 67 yards in a Tigers victory. In the Ivy League, he had amazing performances against rivals Harvard and Brown in back-to-back weeks, rushing for a total of 178 yards and three touchdowns across the two games. After the season, he was named as a Phil Steele Third-Team All Ivy honoree, as well as being an All-Ivy Honorable Mention.
Butler did not respond to multiple requests for comment from The Daily Princetonian on his decision to transfer prior to publication.
Football head coach Bob Surace ’90 declined to comment on the news.
Hayk Yengibaryan is an assistant editor for the Sports section at the 'Prince.'
Please direct any corrections requests to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
Read More
I’m the Guy Who Takes Photos of Nassau Hall : Documenting Activism at Princeton
Calvin GroverClasses come and go, but Nassau Hall lasts forever. The gateway to Princeton's campus serves as a reminder of the movements that shaped its past and its hopes for the future.
Classes come and go, but Nassau Hall lasts forever. The gateway to Princeton's campus serves as a reminder of the movements that shaped its past and its hopes for the future.
Princeton Pro-Life revived post-Dobbs
Olivia Sanchez and Nandini KrishnanThe Princeton Pro-Life Club has experienced a resurgence in the 2023–24 academic year. The ‘Prince’ spoke down with the president of the club and attended a reception to learn more about the club’s rebirth.
The Princeton Pro-Life Club has experienced a resurgence in the 2023–24 academic year. The ‘Prince’ spoke down with the president of the club and attended a reception to learn more about the club’s rebirth.
Princeton needs to be a climate justice leader — emphasis on the “climate,” emphasis on the “justice”
Alex Norbrook and Eleanor Clemans-Cope“Princeton must not only withdraw its support from injustices, but also positively re-invest in sustainable and community-informed initiatives.”
“Princeton must not only withdraw its support from injustices, but also positively re-invest in sustainable and community-informed initiatives.”
