Devin McCourty

Devin McCourty

McCourty in the 2011 NFL season.
No. 32     New England Patriots
Defensive Back / Kickoff returner
Personal information
Date of birth: (1987-08-13) August 13, 1987
Place of birth: Nyack, New York
Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) Weight: 195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school: Saint Joseph Regional
College: Rutgers
NFL Draft: 2010 / Round: 1 / Pick: 27
Debuted in 2010 for the New England Patriots
Career history
New England Patriots (2010–present)
Roster status: Active
Career highlights and awards
Pro Bowl (2010) 2× All-Pro (2010, 2013) AFC Champion (2011) First-team All-Big East (2009) Seven interceptions in 2010 are the second-most by a Patriots rookie and tied for second in the NFL in 2010
Career NFL statistics as of Week 16, 2013
Tackles 320 Quarterback sacks 1.0 Interceptions 15 Forced fumbles 6 Pass deflections 52 Kick return yards 810 Stats at NFL.com

Devin McCourty (born August 13, 1987) is an American football defensive back and kickoff returner for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Rutgers University, and was drafted by the Patriots in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft.

Early years

McCourty attended Saint Joseph Regional High School in Montvale, New Jersey with his twin brother Jason McCourty.^[1] He played cornerback and free safety and was an all-league selection in his final two seasons. As a senior he had 50 tackles and three interceptions. He also played basketball as a point guard.

He was only rated as a 2 Star recruit by Rivals.com and only Rutgers offered him a scholarship.

College career

McCourty attended Rutgers University beginning in 2005. After redshirting his first season, McCourty appeared in all 13 games as a freshman in 2006 and recorded 38 tackles and two interceptions. In 2007, McCourty and his twin brother Jason McCourty started at cornerback, with Devin compiling 63 tackles, two interceptions, one forced fumble, and three blocked kicks on special teams. He was named an All-Big East Conference academic selection in his first two seasons. McCourty started 13 games at cornerback in his 2008 junior season, picking up 57 tackles, one interception, and a blocked punt. In his final season at Rutgers in 2009, McCourty started 13 games at cornerback, while still also working on special teams units. He had a career-high 80 tackles and also recorded one interception and 10 pass deflections. He also averaged 25.4 yards on kickoff returns and had a 98-yard kickoff return, third-longest in school history. Following the season, he was named to the All-Big East first team.

McCourty graduated from Rutgers with a bachelor's degree in sociology.^[2]

Professional career

Pre-draft

New England Patriots

2010 season

McCourty was drafted by the New England Patriots in the first round (27th overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft. He signed a five-year contract on July 28, 2010.^[5] Following a preseason injury to veteran Leigh Bodden, McCourty began his rookie season as a starter at cornerback. On October 24, 2010, McCourty recorded his first career interception against the San Diego Chargers, jumping in front of a Philip Rivers pass intended for Patrick Crayton. In a Thanksgiving Day game against the Detroit Lions, McCourty recorded two interceptions, the first multi-interception game of his career. In Week 14 against the Chicago Bears, McCourty forced a Johnny Knox fumble that was recovered by Patriots linebacker Gary Guyton for a 35-yard touchdown return. In Week 15, he recorded his first career sack.

McCourty finished his rookie season, having started all 16 games, with 82 tackles, 7 interceptions, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles and 17 passes defensed. He was named to the 2011 Pro Bowl, and was named a First Team All-Pro by the Sporting News and Second Team All-Pro by The Associated Press. Other than winner Ndamukong Suh, McCourty was the only rookie to earn votes (2 of 50) for AP Defensive Rookie of the Year.

2012 season

During week 7, on October 21, 2012, McCourty got his first career kickoff return touchdown in a 29-26 overtime win against the New York Jets. McCourty was subsequently named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week, for Week 7. After Aqib Talib was traded to the Patriots, McCourty was permanently converted to safety.^[6]

Over the entire season, McCourty played a grand total of 1,329 snaps, including special teams, the most of any defensive player in the NFL, and the third highest total of any NFL player, behind two of his offensive lineman teammates, Ryan Wendell and Nate Solder.^[7]

2013 season

In the aftermath of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings, McCourty made a pledge to aid recovery efforts with a donation of $100 for every tackle he makes during the 2013 season, and $200 per interception.^[8] The pledge follows a similar offer by Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola ($100 per reception, $200 per dropped pass).

Personal

McCourty's twin brother Jason McCourty also attended Rutgers and started across from him at the other cornerback spot. He currently plays for the Tennessee Titans.^[9]

References

External links

• New England Patriots bio
• Twitter page