Darius Butler Scouting Report

Darius Butler has flown under the radar for his entire career. Listed at 5-10 and 187 pounds, the Connecticut cornerback is used to being overlooked. Through his first three years with the Huskies, Butler has only missed one start. Even as a freshman he was obviously the team's best cover corner and that has not changed. He has racked up ten career interceptions heading into his junior campaign and he will even line up at wide receiver on occasion. Being a capable receiver, Butler has great hands to go along with his speed and quickness. There is not much stopping him from following in the footsteps of fellow Big East cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Mike Jenkins and being selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. Making Butler appear even more attractive to NFL scouts is his ability to return kicks. Until his senior season, Butler was not the Huskies' main kickoff returner, so it will be interesting to see if he can emerge as a dangerous return man. If Butler's career continues as it has, he will easily be a first day selection. Since he plays at UConn and is 5-11, many outside of Big East country do not know much about him, but the NFL sure does. 1/14 Update: Unfortunately for Butler, the NFL also knows that he had an average senior season. He only tallied 40 tackles on the year and failed to intercept a pass (and his skills as a kick returner did not go very well either). He only averaged 23.6 yards per kick-off return and had a long of just 36 yards. Butler is still a talented player and much of that lack of production is due to the fact that the opposition avoided throwing in his direction. He may not be a first round selection anymore, but that can change with a solid showing at the combine. 4/16 Update: Butler is climbing back up draft boards after putting up some decent numbers at the NFL Combine and Connecticut's Pro Day. That could have moved him up into the first round. In fact, many teams will have Butler ahead of Illinois' Vontae Davis and Butler could be the second corner taken after Ohio State's Malcolm Jenkins.