Tim Butcher, back from back surgery, is UNI football’s most improved player

CEDAR FALLS — Northern Iowa defensive tackle Jared Brinkman gets a lot of attention from opposing offensive lines and rightfully so. The Iowa City Regina grad is an All-American and reigning Missouri Valley Football Conference defensive player of the year.

Next to Brinkman, though, is another top performer on UNI’s defense.

Tim Butcher, a 6-foot 2, 300-pound defensive tackle from Palmer, has supplied the Panthers with production similar to Brinkman’s this season. He has 15 tackles, a half-sack, fumble recovery and is second on the team with 4 1/2 tackles for loss.

That production, and overall improvement during his time at UNI, provoked high praise recently from head coach Mark Farley.

“Tim was huge in the (Youngstown State) game,” Farley said. “In our evaluation of everything, he’s probably the most improved player on our team, from when he got here to where he’s at today.”

Beyond the praise, Farley pointed out a specific fourth-down stop by Butcher in last week’s win.

“One of the last plays of the game when they were going for it, they actually went his direction, and he took out two or three guys, got knocked down, got back up and made the tackle,” Farley said. “He’s got a lot of confidence. He’s creating a lot of energy, because of how he’s playing. A big part of our success on defense is because of (Tim’s) play.”

Butcher, who had back surgery last September, says Farley’s compliment means a lot after not meeting expectations for himself during the spring season. Restarting rehab on his back after the spring got him to 100 percent, though. That return to full health, along with refining his handwork with defensive line coach Bryce Paup, has Butcher at his best.

“My hands have gotten a lot better. Always making sure they’re on the (opponent) and they’re always working,” Butcher said. “(Paup) is a wizard of the game. He’s a great coach to have in your corner. All the wisdom he gives, not only for football but for life, it’s going to be a huge help to have that even when I leave this place.”

While the praise from Farley and improved play is satisfying, Butcher knows that playing next to Brinkman is something any defensive tackle in the country would benefit from. The two have become close friends and enjoy watching the NFL and playing Madden together. They’ve also gone viral on Instagram for their tandem rides on Butcher’s moped after practices.

“That moped has actually even handled me and Spencer Brown a couple times,” Butcher said with a laugh. “That old moped, she’s gotten some work out of her. I turn a lot of heads.”

Butcher says he’ll use the moped through the rest of the semester until he graduates.

“I don’t want to buy a parking pass for my car, it’s a lot more expensive,” Butcher said. “I’m going to be wearing my overalls and everything and my Carhartt coat.”

Modes of transportation aside, Butcher and the Panthers travel to No. 5 North Dakota State (4-0, 1-0) on Saturday and he says the blueprint for success against the Bison isn’t complicated.

“Just play physical and do your job,” Butcher said.