Devin McCourty

Devin McCourty (born August 13, 1987) is an American football safety and cornerback 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. 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.

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. 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. On Thanksgiving 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.

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.