Knights Under Lights: Devin McCourty
In Knights Under Lights, The Daily Targum looks at how players who distinguished themselves during their time on the Banks are currently performing in their respective professional leagues.
Devin McCourty played for the Rutgers football team for four seasons and left one of the greatest legacies of any student-athlete to play on the Banks. The defensive back headlined a defensive team coached by Greg Schiano that powered the Scarlet Knights to four bowl game victories from 2006 to 2009.
McCourty was redshirted as a true freshman in 2005.
In 2006, he played 12 games recording 38 tackles, nearly two tackles for loss, two interceptions and a pick-six. McCourty played a crucial role in Rutgers' 37-10 win over Kansas State in the Texas Bowl, which improved the Knights record to 11-2 and secured their first season with 10 or more wins since 1976.
As a sophomore, McCourty became a tackling machine and finished the season with 40 solo tackles and 63 total tackles. He snagged another interception, forced a fumble and blocked three kicks while leading Rutgers to an 8-5 record and an International Bowl berth.
In the International Bowl, the Knights defeated Ball State with a score of 52-30. McCourty had nine total tackles and one pass defended in the bowl win.
In 2008 and 2009 combined, McCourty accumulated 137 tackles, nine tackles for loss and two interceptions. He was selected to the All Big-East first team following his stellar senior season. Rutgers finished 8-5 in his junior year and 8-4 in his senior year, winning the PapaJohns.com Bowl and St. Petersburg Bowl respectively.
At the 2009 Rutgers Awards Banquet, McCourty won the Homer Hazel Award to honor him as the team’s most valuable player for the season. He was later inducted into the Rutgers Hall of Distinguished Alumni alongside his former teammate and brother, Jason McCourty, in 2016.
McCourty was selected by the New England Patriots in the first round, 27th pick of the 2010 NFL Draft making him 1 of 3 former Knights to be selected in the first round.
In his rookie season with the Patriots, McCourty became a chess-piece in head coach Bill Belichick’s league-renowned defensive scheme, totaling 82 tackles, one sack and two forced fumbles. McCourty also snagged seven interceptions, which tied for second highest in the NFL. He earned a Pro Bowl nod and a spot on the AP All-Pro second-team.
McCourty managed 87 total tackles in his second season amid a switch from cornerback to safety in wake of injuries to starters Patrick Chung and Steve Gregory. He thrived in his new position and made another appearance on the AP All-Pro second-team after a 2013 campaign that saw him deflect nine passes and force two fumbles.
In 2014, the Patriots defeated the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX to give McCourty his first ring. McCourty recorded five tackles in his first championship game.
McCourty won his second championship in Super Bowl LI. In the Super Bowl, New England represented the AFC and completed the largest comeback in Super Bowl history against the Atlanta Falcons, winning 34-28. McCourty recorded another five tackles and added a tackle for loss in the comeback effort.
In Super Bowl LII against the Los Angeles Rams, McCourty only recorded two tackles but led the defense in holding the league’s best offense to just 3 points. The Patriots went on to win the super bowl 13-3. From 2014 to 2019, McCourty won three Super Bowls.
McCourty has been a captain for New England since 2011 and a leader on the defensive side of the ball and in the locker room. Whether it be with Rutgers or the Patriots, McCourty is the epitome of what it means to be a leader and winner.
McCourty has just concluded his 13th season with the Patriots and is considering retirement this offseason. Should he choose to end his football career, he would retire as one of the Knights' most accomplished alumni.
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