Darius Butler Darius J . Butler ( born March 18 , 1986 ) is an American football cornerback who is currently a member of the Indianapolis Colts . He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft . He played college football at Connecticut . Early years . Butler is the cousin of Denver Broncos running back Willis McGahee , and Geno Atkins of Cincinnati Bengals and the nephew of former New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins safety Gene Atkins . Butler attended Coral Springs Charter School in Coral Springs , Florida . While there he played quarterback and safety . He also played basketball , scoring over 1 , 000 points during his career . He was an All - County selection as well as an All - State honorable mention . College career . Butler played college football at the University of Connecticut , where he was a four - year starter and two - year team captain . He was primarily a cornerback , but he also spent time as a kickoff returner and wide receiver . Butler was twice named Big East Player of the Week , both during his freshman year in 2005 . He earned Big East Defensive Player of the Week after intercepting three passes for 122 interception return yards and a touchdown in a game against Army on October 1 , 2005 . The 122 return yards set both a Connecticut and Michie Stadium record . He also was awarded Big East Special Teams Player of the Week after he returned a kick off 90 yards for a touchdown against South Florida on November 26 , 2005 . After his senior season in 2008 , Butler was named to the All - Big East first team , despite not having a single interception all season . Butler finished his career at Connecticut starting 43 of 45 games , recording 180 tackles , 10 interceptions for 213 return yards and two touchdowns . He also scored three other touchdowns : one on a kickoff return , one rushing and one receiving . Professional career . New England Patriots . Butler was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round ( 41st overall ) of the 2009 NFL Draft . On July 10 , 2009 , he signed a four - year contract with the Patriots that included a total of about $ 2 . 1 million in guaranteed money . Butler got his first career start and interception against the Tennessee Titans . The following week he got his second interception against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers . He returned an interception 91 yards for a touchdown against the Houston Texans on January 3 , 2010 . He finished the season starting five of 14 games played , recording three interceptions , 35 tackles , and eight passes deflected . In 2010 , Butler started the first two games of the season , including a Patriots loss to the New York Jets in Week 2 . In the game , Butler gave up a touchdown reception and was also penalized twice for defensive pass interference on another Jets touchdown drive . He was replaced as a starter by Kyle Arrington the next week , and was not part of the team ' s defensive sub packages . After being a healthy inactive for the team ' s Week 10 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers , Butler returned to make his third start of the season , as the Patriots ' nickel cornerback for their Week 13 win over the Jets . Butler finished the season with three starts in 15 games played , recording 23 tackles and six passes defensed . On September 6 , 2011 , he was waived by New England . Carolina Panthers . Butler was claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers on September 6 . On August 31 , 2012 he was waived by the Carolina Panthers . Indianapolis Colts . Butler was signed as a free agent by the Indianapolis Colts on September 25 , 2012 .