Devin McCourty

McCourty's sensational senior season certainly grabbed the attention of scouts. He's now primed to grab the national attention that has mysteriously eluded him since arriving on campus as a 175-pound freshman. The statistical table does not really show the true measure of McCourty's importance or value to the Scarlet Knights' success. Since taking over as a starter as a sophomore, the defensive back has more than lived up to the challenge of shutting down his main pass coverage assignments. Always known for his punt- and kick-coverage ability, he added a wrinkle to his game, proving to be one of the more electrifying kickoff returners in the nation, evident by his average of 27.91 yards per attempt. In the last 38 contests, Rutgers has allowed the opposition to complete 572-of-1,038 passes (55.11 percent) for 7,144 yards, 36 touchdowns and 32 interceptions. Against McCourty, the Scarlet Knights opponents attempted 249 throws, completing just 88 (35.34 percent) for 684 yards and only two scores, an average of 7.77 yards per pass completion. He has allowed just 2.75 yards per pass attempt, the lowest figure of any active player in the Big East Conference. While those figures are very impressive, they do not tell the entire story of this shutdown cornerback's ability. Against his main pass coverage assignments, McCourty has held those receivers to only 42 receptions for 386 yards on 158 passes targeted into his area, meaning that quarterbacks have completed just 26.58 percent of those tosses and their intended targets were limited to 9.19 yards per pass completion and 2.44 yards per attempt. Those same receivers averaged 33.84 catches for 430.05 yards (12.71 yards per catch) and 2.47 touchdowns per season vs. other cornerbacks they faced. Devin has proven to be an excellent press coverage defender, as his excellent field vision has seen him make plays on the ball 45.39 percent of the time outside his area, coming to the aid after a teammate had blown an assignment. He has jammed/rerouted those pass catchers away from 148 incomplete attempts (average of 3.84 per game), the most of any cornerback in the Division I ranks during that span. While developing his shutdown cornerback skills, McCourty is not only a top-notch coverage defender, but has also excelled playing inside the box. He made 91 of his 236 tackles in run support (38.56 percent) and has proven to be a drive-killer, as he registered an incredible 94 third-down stops and 33 more on fourth-down action (38.60 percent of his plays made resulted in killing the opposition's series). In addition, McCourty has drawn comparisons to former Buffalo Bills standout Steve Tasker for his outstanding performance on special teams. He recorded 23 tackles for the punt coverage unit and 27 for the kickoff coverage squad. He has also blocked six punts and one field goal, as six of those blocks set up Rutgers scoring drives. Four more turnovers generated by the defensive back (three interceptions, one fumble recovery) have also led to Scarlet Knights touchdown drives. He also took over kickoff return duties as a senior, averaging 25.43 yards on 14 returns that included a 98-yard touchdown, third-longest in school annals. At Saint Joseph's High School, McCourty was an All-League first-team defensive back in each of his final two seasons. He added All-Bergen County honors from The Record as a senior, leading the team to an 11-1 record and a 42-8 victory over Pope John High in the Parochial Group III final at Rutgers Stadium, returning to the team after he missed the first two games of the season with a hip flexor injury. McCourty earned a total of three varsity letters, competing as a free safety as a sophomore and cornerback as a junior and senior. He also saw action on offense as a slot back. In his last year with the team, he recorded 50 tackles with three interceptions. Some of his senior season highlights included intercepting the first pass of the game vs. Paramus Catholic 43 yards for a touchdown, coming up with seven receptions for 145 yards and a touchdown vs. Bergen Catholic and posting 16 tackles and one interception vs. Don Bosco. After his senior campaign, McCourty was one of nine Rutgers recruits to play in the 2005 New York/New Jersey Governor's Bowl at Rutgers Stadium. He also lettered in basketball, starting at point guard for a team that compiled a 26-2 during his senior season. "Devin has great versatility in that he can play several different positions -- shutdown corner, free safety as a run support guy, offensively as a slot back," said Saint Joseph's head football coach Tony Karcich. "He is like a coach on the field with his outstanding knowledge and ability to make adjustments." The McCourty twins registered at Rutgers in 2004, with Devin spending that season on the scout team. In 2006, he played behind Ron Girault at strong safety, as the 180-pound defensive back placed tenth on the team and led the Scarlet Knights reserves with 38 tackles (23 solos). He recovered a fumble, broke up three passes and intercepted two others, returning his first career pass theft 38 yards for a touchdown. He also collected 15 tackles on the special teams coverage units, including 11 for the kickoff squad. McCourty took over weak-side cornerback duties in 2007, with his brother, Jason, starting at the other cornerback slot. Devin finished sixth on the team with a career-high 63 tackles (40 solos), recovering two fumbles while causing another. He blocked three kicks that Rutgers recovered, leading to three scoring drives. He delivered 10 special teams tackles and had two more interceptions, returning one for a touchdown, as he earned Big East Conference academic honors for the second consecutive season. McCourty's hard-hitting ability saw opposing offenses try to steer clear of his territory in 2008. He still ranked fifth on the team with 57 tackles (37 solo), as he recovered a pair of fumbles, broke up seven passes and picked off another, as two of his forced turnovers set up Rutgers scoring drives. He also registered 13 hits on special teams, while limiting opposing receivers to an average of 3.61 yards per pass attempt. The senior defensive standout led the Scarlet Knights during the regular season with 78 tackles (48 solos), but an eye injury on the first series of the St. Petersburg Bowl prevented him from becoming first cornerback in school annals to lead the team in tackles for a season and the first major college cornerback to accomplish that feat since Charles Woodson of Michigan in 1997. He finished with a total of 80 tackles and also made 9.5 stops for loss, broke up 10 passes and intercepted another while blocking three punts. However, it was his leadership skills that shined through during the team's 9-4 record in 2009. Safety Joe Lefeged learned the value of preparation from McCourty. "He could diagnose plays before they even started, based on what the offensive lines was doing or how the receivers were lining up," Lefeged said. "He was calling out plays before they even happened on the field." "Devin gets us together at night to watch film after meetings, and that really helps in practice," Lefeged said. The defensive captain, who's staked his claim as the Big East Conference's top cornerback in 2009, also draws high praise from head coach Greg Schiano. "I think he prepares incredibly hard, and I am talking one of the top five I have been around, either college or pro," Schiano said. "He works very hard at it and practices very hard. Every day he goes out there, he is playing a football game in practice. So then it is no mystery that when he gets in the games, he makes plays."

run support

Very willing (and able) to support the run. Attacks running backs coming into his area, bringing them down with veracity. Holds up his man to force plays inside. Hustles across the field to plays on the opposite sideline. Tough player, but still lacks the size to consistently get off downfield blocks from larger receivers.

man coverage

Can press or play off effectively. Has fluid hips, transitions smoothly and stays low and is quick in his backpedal. Sticks to receivers on their routes, showing excellent change of direction. Plays more physically than you would expect for his size, using his hands to jam on the line and maintain contact downfield. Larger receivers will use their size to shield him from slants and crossing patterns.

tackling

Wiry strong and solid in his tackling technique. Brings his hips and wraps ballcarriers when straight-on in his sights. Doesn't give up many yards after catch. Attacks screens, even after push off from larger receivers. Avoids blocks in the open field, usually wrapping a leg instead of cutting. Rarely misses completely, even against elusive runners. Should be one of the better special teams players in his class.

zone coverage

Should make a very good zone corner in the NFL. Good awareness, keeping one eye on the short receiver and another on any players trying to hit the hole behind him. Comes off his man to react to a ball in the air. Makes the easy interception, goes up to get the ball and has strong hands. Will freelance when no receiver lines up on his side, leaving his zone open.

intangibles

Reliable veteran who loves to play the game. Took a leadership role in 2009 with Jason McCourty and safety Courtney Greene in the NFL. Very good student who made multiple Big East All-Academic teams.

closing/recovery

Baits quarterbacks into throwing in his direction, closing very well when the ball is in front of him. Good plant and drive with body control. Takes the proper angle to the receiver. Lacks elite speed, but can recover quickly enough when picked on crossing or drag routes to make the tackle.

read & react

Reads receiver's body language to see if his man is the primary target. Quick to jump routes because he reads the quarterback well. Doesn't bite on stop-and-go routes. Supports the run quickly, even when the play is between the tackles or on the other side of the field.

nfl comparison

Ronde Barber, Buccaneers

2004: Missed the first two games of his high school senior season with a hip flexor. 2009: Left in the first series of the St. Petersburg Bowl vs. Central Florida (12/18) after getting poked in his right eye, but was examined at the hospital and given a clean bill of health.

Campus: 4.48 in the 40-yard dash

1.60 10-yard dash

2.65 20-yard dash

4.07 20-yard shuttle

11.53 60-yard shuttle

6.70 three-cone drill

36-inch vertical jump

10'6" broad jump

Bench pressed 225 pounds 16 times

32-inch arm length

9-inch hands.

Attended Saint Joseph's (Montvale, N.J.) High School, playing football for head coach Tony Karcich

All-League first-team defensive back in each of his final two seasons, as he played alongside his twin brother, Jason

Added All-Bergen County honors from The Record as a senior, leading the team to an 11-1 record and a 42-8 victory over Pope John High in the Parochial Group III final at Rutgers Stadium, returning to the team after he missed the first two games of the season with a hip flexor injury

Earned a total of three varsity letters, competing as a free safety as a sophomore and cornerback as a junior and senior

Also saw action on offense as a slotback

In his last year with the team, he made 50 tackles with three interceptions

Some of his senior season highlights included intercepting the first pass of the game vs. Paramus Catholic 43 yards for a touchdown, coming up with seven receptions for 145 yards and a touchdown vs. Bergen Catholic and posting 16 tackles and one interception vs. Don Bosco

After his senior campaign, he was one of nine Rutgers recruits to play in the 2005 New York/New Jersey Governor's Bowl at Rutgers Stadium

Also lettered in basketball, starting at point guard for a team that compiled a 26-2 during his senior season

"Devin has great versatility in that he can play several different positions -- shutdown corner, free safety as a run support guy, offensively as a slot back," said Saint Joseph's head football coach Tony Karcich. "He is like a coach on the field with his outstanding knowledge and ability to make adjustments."

Sociology major

Twin brother, Jason was a teammate and fellow cornerback at Saint Joseph's High School and Rutgers. Jason was selected in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans

Born 8/13/87

Resides in Nanuet, New York.