Regarded as the premier cornerback in the Big East Conference, Butler added a new wrinkle to his game that would make New England Patriots fans clamoring for him to be their next Troy Brown. Always willing to help the team in any way he can, Butler was highly productive wearing two hats last season, seeing action as a receiver in addition to taking over kickoff return duties full-time.

A late-season knee injury prevented Butler from playing in the team's final three regular-season games, but he made a remarkable recovery to get back on the field for the Music City Bowl. During his absence lost two of those three contests, proving just how valuable his leadership and versatility were to the Huskies.

In 45 games at Connecticut, he finished eighth on the school's career record list with 10 interceptions, but he made the most out of those pass thefts, returning them for a total of 213 yards, the third-highest yardage in Connecticut annals. Two of those interceptions went for touchdowns, tying another school all-time mark.

Even though he was the team's full-time kickoff returner for just 2008, Butler filled in at that position from time to time his first three years, finishing with 895 return yards, the 10th-best total in school annals. He is also the first player in Big East Conference history to produce a touchdown on a kickoff return, interception, reception and rushing attempt in a career. In his last two seasons as a starting left cornerback, no opposing receiver was able to catch a touchdown pass or record more than two first downs in any game vs. him.

Butler also comes from a family with solid National Football League pedigree. His uncle, Gene Atkins, was a standout defensive back who played in the NFL from 1987-96 with the New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins. His cousin, Baltimore Ravens running back Willis McGahee, was a first-round draft choice by the Buffalo Bills after earning All-American status at the University of Miami in 2002.

At little known Coral Springs Charter High School, Butler was the big man on campus, as he would become their first student-athlete to ever sign a national letter of intent to attend a major college. He was listed amongst the top 20 recruits in talent-rich Broward County by the Miami Herald, despite not playing football until his junior year.

Butler received All-County honors from both the Herald and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and was an honorable mention All-State selection. Playing quarterback in an option offense, he both rushed and passed for more than 1,000 yards in 2003 while also starting at safety on defense. He totaled 2,491 total yards as a senior and was responsible for 25 touchdowns.

Butler finished third in Broward County in rushing yards in 2003 and was second in completions, attempts and passing yards. The team captain was also selected for the Dade-Broward All-Star Game. He also excelled in basketball, adding All-County honors as he scored more than 1,000 career points.

Butler spent the 2004 season as the premier player on Connecticut's scout team. In 2006, he was the only defensive player to start every game, earning Freshman All-American honors from The NFL Draft Report after gaining 140 yards with a touchdown on four pass thefts, as he also deflected eight other throws. He recorded 36 tackles (24 solos) and averaged 33.8 yards on 10 kickoff returns, becoming the first player in school history to return a kickoff and interception for a touchdown in the same season.

In 2006, Butler started 10 games, missing the Syracuse clash with a sore hamstring. He added another four interceptions to go with seven pass break-ups. He also delivered 50 tackles (36 solos), ranking sixth on the team, and produced two stops for loss.

Butler was named team captain as a junior in 2007. The All-Big East Conference choice collected 54 tackles (37 solos) with 2.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage. He broke up seven passes and intercepted two others, returning one for a touchdown. He caught the attention of pro scouts, who were in attendance at the Louisville game to review the Cardinals' Harry Douglas. Assigned to cover the receiver, Butler held him to a career-low 19 yards receiving, as he knocked two passes out of Douglas' hands and picked off another.

A member of The NFL Draft Report's All-American Dream Team, Butler picked up All-Big East Conference first-team honors in 2008. In 10 games, the two-time team captain posted 40 tackles (28 solos), including three stops for loss. He did not have any interceptions for the first time in his career, but broke up four throws and averaged 23.5 yards on 20 kickoff returns. On offense, he caught nine passes for 123 yards (13.7 avg) with a touchdown and scored again on a pair of rushing attempts.

GENERAL REPORT

GRADE: 6.62

Body Structure: Butler has a small frame, shows good overall muscle definition and thick thighs and calves, typical of a player who performed in track. He has good chest thickness and a frame that can carry at least another 10 pounds of bulk. He is an exceptionally quick athlete who had good success while also playing wide receiver until suffering his late-season knee injury. He is stronger than his lanky frame indicates, but does have very thin hips.

Athletic Ability: Butler might have just an adequate frame, but is blessed with exceptional speed and shows the sudden burst to close on the ball. He shows good field savvy and vision, along with the loose hips to come out of his backpedal and turn to run to the play. He is very smooth coming out of his break and can transition with excellent hip flexibility and body control. He flashes good make-up speed and acceleration to close. His flexibility allows him to adjust and make plays on the ball in the air (26 pass breakups in 45 games). With his timing and vertical leap, he can easily compete for the ball at its high point, whether going for the interception as a defensive back or for the pass as a receiver. GRADE: 7.0

Football Sense: Butler is equally effective diagnosing plays in front of him and when working the deep zone. Despite a lack of great size, it is rare to see him lost in deep coverage, and he shows no hesitation handling the switch in combo routes. He will peek into the backfield but knows he can rely on his burst to recover when a receiver gets a step. He needs only normal reps to retain and can make good adjustments on the field, as he plays with consistent awareness. He is alert to play-action and won't bite on the double moves, scanning the field to get quick reads. GRADE: 6.6

Character: Butler is well-liked by teammates and the staff. He is a very respectful type but is confident both on and off the field. He has no known off-field issues and is the type the staff can count on to mentor the younger players. The staff says he is very easy to coach and has worked hard on his own to step up his learning process at both the cornerback and receiver positions. Butler shows consistent effort on every play. He has good football bloodlines, as his uncle, Gene Atkins, played in the NFL from 1987-96 with the New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins. He is also the cousin of Baltimore Ravens running back Willis McGahee, an All-American at Miami (Fla.). GRADE: 6.5

Competitiveness: Until a knee injury late in the 2008 season, Butler was difficult to keep off the field. He took on a much larger role on special teams as a kickoff returner, quite a load for one player to handle. Even when learning the techniques of playing offense, he showed a strong desire to contribute. He will sacrifice his body to make the play and will not hesitate to battle the bigger receivers for the jump ball, even if it does result more in pass deflections than interceptions. He is a solid run support type who might get bounced around some in the trenches, but keeps coming at you on every play (only four of the sixteen tackles he made vs. the run resulted in first downs in 2008). As a senior, he learned to trust his speed to help compensate when caught out of position, but it is rare to see him make the same mistakes twice. GRADE: 6.7

Work Habits: Butler is a hard worker in the weight room and knows the value of putting in extra hours after practice. He has developed good study skills (spends lots of hours in the film room and is a coachable sort who is a natural leader and will do whatever is asked. GRADE: 6.3

ATHLETIC REPORT

GRADE: 6.50

Key and Diagnostic Skills: Butler has very good zone coverage awareness. He times leaps well to high point the ball. He is best playing in the short-to-intermediate zone, Knows how to stay low in his pads and drive through his hits. He has a natural feel on combo routes and will not peek into the backfield too long, and even when he does, he has the speed and burst to recover. He shows good aggression attacking the ball once he locates it and is not timid coming up in run support. He reacts well when playing close to the line, doing a good job of keeping his hands active in order to disrupt the receivers in their routes. GRADE: 6.5

Man Coverage Ability: Butler possesses the sudden burst and smooth turning motion coming out of his backpedal, coupled with exceptional timed speed, to stay tight on the hip of the receiver. Even though he lacks great height, he does not struggle to win jump-ball battles vs. large receivers. He has the leaping skills to disrupt the action when he times his jump. Even for a player of his size, he shows good aggression to be a nuisance through route progressions. On deep routes, he will sometimes get turned some and be late to react, but he has the second gear needed to recover. He covers like a shadow on the receiver and continues to develop good hand use. He has more than enough quickness to mirror the opponent through the patterns. GRADE: 7.2

Zone Coverage Ability: Butler has very good zone awareness, showing good vision and quick reactions to handling the switch on combo routes. He has a good feel for the ball working in space and does a nice job of changing direction thanks to his loose hips. He has the agility and footwork to ride on the hip of a receiver on deep routes and his time spent on offense in 2008 is sure to help him better understand the technique a receiver might use vs. him in attempts to sell and con on a route. GRADE: 6.8

Backpedal Skills: Butler is very fluid and shows crisp cutting ability coming out of transition, along with a natural feel for breaking on plays in front of him. He might stay in his backpedal too long on deep routes, but has the hip flexibility to turn, run and make plays on the ball. He plants and drives quickly and stays square coming out of his breaks. His ability to flip his hips and burst to the ball allows him to disrupt receivers in their patterns. He rarely takes false steps out of his pedal and utilizes his hip flexibility to break sharply. GRADE: 6.7

Ball Reaction Skills: When he times his leaps, Butler can be a very disruptive force. He excels going vertical, even though he gives up height to larger receivers. He plays the ball high and anticipates the quarterback when playing in zone coverage. He has the quickness to come back for the ball and has the ability to break down when working in space. GRADE: 6.4

Range/Recovery: Butler has excellent speed and burst to make plays on the ball in the air and shows urgency getting to the perimeter to attack the ballcarrier. He is fluid opening his hips and turning on the ball in front of him. He has the speed to cover deep, but will get turned around some by play-action. His burst to close is sudden and he can cover a lot of distance with his second gear. He does a nice job mirroring receivers on deep routes and even though his frame could use more bulk, he knows how to deliver impact hits on the receiver after the catch. GRADE: 6.6

Jumping Ability: Butler makes good body adjustments attacking the ball in the air. He times his leap well to get to the pass at its high point, but will lose some battles vs. the larger receivers due to height issues. He has excellent hip flexibility when leaping and adjusting to the ball though, just needing a little technique refinement (needs to stay at a lower pad level). GRADE: 6.2

Hands: Butler has natural hands for the interception and showed well at wide receiver. He secures the ball well, whether on defense, offense or returning kicks. His range is his best asset, but his hands are a close second. It is rare to see him double-catch or let the ball absorb into his body too much rather than extend away from the body's frame. Is adept at getting his hands up to reach to disrupt the flight of the ball. GRADE: 6.8

Run Defense: While Butler shows good aggression and tackling form vs. the run, he is better playing off the perimeter or when getting a clear lane than when working inside the box. Due to size issues, he is generally bounced around and walled off when trying to fill the rush lanes. He will not hesitate to hit, but even though he can break down and take good angles to the ball, he will never be a factor working along the line (much better suited for perimeter action). With added bulk, he can perhaps be more effective in attempts to drive up and contain. Still, you have to like his effort. GRADE: 5.5

Tackling Ability: Even for a player of his size, he will not hesitate to face up with aggression. He is a decent wrap-up tackler who puts all of his power behind his hits. He is not a pile jumper or arm tackler, staying at a good pad level to extend, wrap and secure. He hits with good pop and can take down a ball carrier along the perimeter. I like the way he plays at his low pad level and feel with additional bulk, he will be a secure tackler at the next level. He shows good urgency striking when he gains position and when he stays low in his pads and wraps to secure, receivers struggle to break free after the initial hit. GRADE: 6.3

Compares To: ROY GREEN, ex. St. Louis Cardinals -- Long before there was a Troy Brown (New England), there was Green, a speedy defensive back who also excelled as a receiver and return specialist. Butler is more Roy Green than Brown, as he not only has outstanding speed, but polished zone coverage ability. He is an instinctive player with the footwork, agility and field smarts to quickly close on the ball. In a perfect world, he ends up in New England playing for a team on which versatile players are encouraged to show off their athletic talent.

OVERALL GRADE: 6.52

Butler started 43 of 45 games he played in at Connecticut, recording 180 tackles (125 solos) with 7.5 stops for losses of 20 yards and three forced fumbles … Deflected 26 passes and ranked tied for eighth in school history with 10 interceptions … His 213 return yards on those pass thefts rank third on the school career record list behind Darrell Wilson (243 yards; 1976, 78-80) and Dave Korponai (218; 1961-63) … His two interception returns for touchdowns tied a school career record that he shares with Scott Lutrus (2007-current), Danny Lansanah (2004-07) and Justin Perkins (2001-04) … His 140 yards via interception returns in 2005 rank fourth on the Huskies' single-season record list behind Korponai (184 in 1962), Rich Fenton (163 in 1973) and Lenny King (163 in 1956) … His average of 35.0 yards per interception return in 2005 rank sixth on the Big East annual record chart … Tied the school and conference single-game record with three interceptions vs. Army in 2005 … He gained 122 yards on those three pass thefts in the 2005 Army clash, breaking the old school single-game record of 104 yards by Korponai vs. Rhode Island in 1962, and rank second on the Big East Conference game chart behind the 172 yards gained by Vann Washington of West Virginia vs. Louisiana Tech (10/29/94) … His 90-yard kickoff return vs. South Florida in 2005 is the 10th-longest runback in school history … His 86-yard gain on an interception vs. Army in 2005 is the second-longest pass theft return in school annals behind Korponai (100 vs. Rhode Island, 1962) and Pheno Tombari (93 vs.Wesleyan, 1928).

All-American Dream Team selection as an all-purpose back by The NFL Draft Report … Added All-Big East Conference first-team honors … The two-time team captain started nine of ten games he played in, missing part of the West Virginia clash and the entire Syracuse, South Florida and Pittsburgh contests after suffering a knee sprain vs. the Mountaineers …

Recorded 40 tackles (28 solos) with three stops for losses of 9 yards … Deflected four passes and returned 20 kickoffs for 471 yards (23.5 avg) … On offense, he gained 123 yards with a touchdown on nine receptions (13.7 yards) and 13 yards with a score on two rushing attempts … Led a unit that ranked sixth in the nation in total defense (278.0 ypg) and ninth in both pass defense (168.23 ypg) and passing efficiency defense (101.51 rating) … Did not allow any touchdowns on 43 passes targeted into his area, as his main pass coverage assignments caught just a total of six of those passes for 106 yards, as Butler delivered thirteen third-down stops and one more on forth down vs. the pass.

Hofstra … Butler returned the season's first kickoff 27 yards and made three tackles (2 solos) … Sniffed out the screen, tackling Anthony Nelson for a 1-yard loss midway through the first quarter … Main Pass Coverage Assignment: WR#80-Ottis Lewis (6:05-213)-had no catches vs. Butler, who rerouted the receiver twice from potential receptions.

Temple … Butler registered six solo tackles and gained 37 yards on two kickoff returns …

Chased down Joe Jones for a 2-yard loss on a mid first quarter swing pass and forced the Owls to punt in the third quarter after preventing Travis Shelton from getting to a third-&-13 pass … Main Pass Coverage Assignment: WR#22-Travis Shelton (5:11-186)-had no catches vs. Butler, who rerouted the receiver twice from potential receptions.

Virginia … Butler played on three different units, recording four tackles (2 solos) with a stop behind the line of scrimmage on defense, returned two kickoffs for 49 yards on special teams and had two receptions for 40 yards, in addition to scoring on a 13-yard reverse …

He also set up Donald Brown's 8-yard touchdown run with a 29-yard catch of a third-&-4 toss … With 1:42 left in the first half, he tackled receiver Kevin Ogletree for a 3-yard loss …

Main Pass Coverage Assignment: WR#80-Maurice Covington (6:04-225)-caught one pass for 3 yards vs. Butler, who rerouted the receiver once from potential receptions.

Baylor … The left cornerback posted four tackles and gained 47 yards on two kickoff returns, along with 24 yards on a pair of catches … Main Pass Coverage Assignment: WR#4-David Gettis (6:04-210)-had no catches vs. Butler, who rerouted the receiver twice from potential receptions.

Louisville … The team captain always seems to play his best vs. the Cardinals, as he made four solo tackles and gained 47 yards on two kickoff returns … Also had three receptions for 40 yards, including 13-yard touchdown on a third-&-4 pass in the third quarter that sparked a rally to give UConn a 26-21 decision … Main Pass Coverage Assignment: WR#27-Doug Beaumont (5:09-176)-Caught one pass for 31 yards vs. Butler, but fumbled away the ball.

North Carolina … Butler broke up a pass, was in on three solo tackles and had a 3-yard catch, but made his most noise on special teams, gaining 151 yards on seven kickoff returns … Main Pass Coverage Assignment: WR#87-Brandon Tate (6:01-195)-had no catches vs. Butler, who rerouted the receiver twice from potential receptions.

Rutgers … Three of Butler's seven tackles came on third-down, as he also deflected one pass … That pass deflection prevented receiver Kenny Britt from getting to a deep pass, as both athletes went up for the ball, but the 5:10 cornerback elevated higher than the 6:04 receiver … Main Pass Coverage Assignment: WR#88-Kenny Britt (6:04-214)-caught three passes for 53 yards vs. Butler, who rerouted the receiver three times from potential receptions.

Cincinnati … Butler had only three tackles, but he deflected two passes away from his coverage assignment and prevented that receiver from getting to three other throws … The Bearcats were forced to punt after Butler jammed receiver Dominick Goodman at the line on a third-&-10 pass to start the second quarter … Midway through that quarter, he killed another possession by preventing Goodman from getting to QB Tony Pike's fourth-&-2 pass … Main Pass Coverage Assignment: WR#16-Dominick Goodman (6:01-210)-caught one pass for 19 yards vs. Butler, who rerouted the receiver three times from potential receptions.

West Virginia … Made three tackles before leaving the game in the second quarter with a knee sprain … Main Pass Coverage Assignment: WR#4-Wes Lyons (6:08-220)-had no catches vs. Butler, who rerouted the receiver once from potential receptions.

Buffalo (Music City Bowl) … Came off the bench to deliver three solo tackles with a stop for a loss and a 16-yard reception in his first action in more than two months … Killed a third quarter drive when Butler tackled receiver James Starks in the backfield for a 5-yard loss on a third-&-15 sap, bringing out Buffalo's punting unit … Main Pass Coverage Assignment: WR#21-Ernest Jackson (6:02-215)-had no catches vs. Butler.

All-Big East Conference first-team selection by The NFL Draft Report … Served as team captain, starting all thirteen games at left cornerback … Recorded 54 tackles (37 solos) with 2.5 stops for losses of 5 yards, forcing two fumbles to help a squad that ranked tenth in the passing efficiency defense (107.08 rating) … Deflected seven passes and intercepted two others for 36 yards in returns and a touchdown … Added 70 yards on four kickoff returns (17.5 avg).

Opened the season in explosive fashion, returning an interception 36 yards for a touch-down, adding a 19-yard kickoff return and four tackles vs. Duke … Had four tackles with a stop behind the line of scrimmage in each of the Maine and Pittsburgh games, as he also deflected two passes vs. the Panthers … Collected four hits in each of the Virginia and South Florida tilts … Deflected two passes and delivered five solo tackles in the Rutgers clash … Caused a fumble and was in on three tackles vs. Syracuse … Jammed receiver Harry Douglas three times at the line of scrimmage (Douglas was held to a career-low 19 yards) and deflected two other throws in the Louisville game … Registered seven tackles (5 solos), as he caused a fumble, made a stop behind the line of scrimmage and returned a kickoff 27 yards vs. Wake Forest in the Meineke Car Care Bowl.

Started every game except for Syracuse, which Butler missed with a sore hamstring … Was in on 50 tackles (30 solos), including two stops for losses of 6 yards … Tied for the team lead with four interceptions for 37 yards in returns … Also deflected seven passes and gained 16 yards on a kickoff return … Changed to jersey #1 from #28 prior to the season opener.

Picked off a pass in the season opener vs. Rhode Island … Had a 16-yard interception return and four tackles, including one for a 3-yard loss vs. Indiana … Followed with seven tackles (5 solos) and a stop behind the line of scrimmage vs. Navy … Totaled seven hits (6 solos) vs. South Florida and gained 21 yards on two interception returns vs. Army … Made six tackles with a stop for a loss vs. Rutgers and registered another six hits (5 solos) while breaking up one pass vs. Cincinnati … Closed out the season with nine tackles (8 solos) vs. Louisville.

Freshman All-American selection by The Gridiron Report … Started all eleven games, recording 36 tackles (24 solos) with eight pass deflection and 140 yards with a touchdown on four interceptions … Caused one fumble and returned ten kickoffs for 338 yards (33.8 avg), including another score … Became the first Husky to score both a defensive and a special teams touchdown in the same season … Wore jersey #28 as a freshman.

Returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown vs. South Florida to earn the special teams game ball while also intercepting a pass in the game. Named the Big East Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts vs. the Bulls … Nearly broke a kickoff return free for a touchdown at Pittsburgh, returning three in the game for 102 yards (34.0 avg), including a 65-yard scamper … Broke up three passes vs. Rutgers and made five stops … Forced a fumble, broke up a pass and had four tackles in the win over Syracuse … Had a landmark game at Army as he intercepted three passes, which he returned for a school-record 122 yards, including an 86-yard touchdown. That run back was the third longest in school history and UConn's longest interception return since Dave Korponai ran one back 100 yards vs. Rhode Island in 1962. The 122 return yards set both UConn and Michie Stadium records while ranking second-best in Big East annals, earning league Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Red-shirted as a freshman … Named the Defensive Scout Team Player of the Week prior to the Duke game.

2006: Sat out the Syracuse game (11/18) with a sore hamstring.

2007: Left the Pittsburgh game after he was flipped and landed on his head during an onside kick (9/22).

2008: Missed the second half vs. West Virginia (11/01) and the Syracuse (11/15), South Florida (11/23) and Pittsburgh (12/06) games with a knee sprain.

Combine: 4.41 in the 40-yard dash … 1.46 10-yard dash … 2.56 20-yard dash … 4.18 20-yard shuttle … 6.92 three-cone drill … 43-inch vertical jump … 11'2" broad jump … Chose not to do the 225-pound bench press … 32 7/8-inch arm length … 9 1/2-inch hands.

Attended Coral Springs (Fla.) Charter High School … Listed amongst the top 20 recruits in talent-rich Broward County by the Miami Herald, despite not playing football until his junior year … Received All-County honors from both the Herald and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and was an honorable mention All-State selection … Playing quarterback in an option offense, he both rushed and passed for more than 1,000 yards in 2003 while also starting at safety on defense … Totaled 2,491 total yards as a senior and was responsible for 25 touchdowns … Finished third in Broward County in rushing yards in 2003 and was second in completions, attempts and passing yards … The team captain was also selected for the Dade-Broward All-Star Game … Excelled in basketball, adding All-County honors as he scored over 1,000 career points.

Sociology major … Uncle, Gene Atkins, was a standout defensive back who played in the NFL from 1987-96 with the New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins … Cousin, Baltimore Ravens running back Willis McGahee, was a first-round draft choice by the Buffalo Bills after earning All-American status at the University of Miami in 2002 … Born Darius J. Butler on 3/18/86 … Resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.