Alex Khvatov:  What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?

Darius Butler: 5-11, 185, 4.34 40
 

Alex Khvatov:  How is it that you didn’t play high school football until your junior season?

Darius Butler:  My first love was basketball.  So up until my junior yr in HS that was all I played.  But the coach finally asked me enough times to come out and play for the team, so I did.  I always knew that I was good in football.  I just enjoyed b-ball more.  

Alex Khvatov:  You played quarterback in high school, what was that experience like for you?

Darius Butler:  I loved playing QB.  I had the ball in my hands every snap and the coach allowed me to make a lot of my own decisions on the fly.  So I had a lot of fun and made a lot of plays playing that position.

Alex Khvatov:  What other sports did you play in high school?

Darius Butler:  I played basketball all 4 yrs in high school (averaged 20ppg).  I ran track my senior yr. the 100m, 200m, High Jump and Long Jump.
 

Alex Khvatov:  Coming out of high school in Florida, what programs showed interest in you?

Darius Butler:  A lot of programs didn’t show serious interest in me coming out of high school.  In the end only Indiana, FAU, and UConn offered me.

Alex Khvatov:  What made you choose the UConn Huskies?

Darius Butler:  I felt Uconn was moving in the right direction and was in a strong conference like the BIG EAST.  Also by decision time, Coach Richardson and I had a comfortable relationship since he was from where I was from and had recruited me hard from day one.    

Alex Khvatov:  You cousin is Willis McGahee, what has he told you about the NFL?

Darius Butler:  Me and Willis speak often, and he basically just tells me to keep working hard, make smart decisions on and off the field, and the sky will be the limit.

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths on the football field?

Darius Butler:  I feel my strengths on the football field are my athleticism, speed, instincts and open field tackling.

Alex Khvatov:  You made a name for yourself as a redshirt freshman starting every contest at CB, tell me about your 2005 season.      

Darius Butler:  2005 was a very exciting season for me because it was my first year starting and playing on this level.  I finally felt that I had my chance to show what I can do.  I had 4 INTS that season and 8 PBUS.  I feel like I made some great gains in my game in 2005.

 
Alex Khvatov:  What were your expectations from a team and personal standpoint coming into this season?

Darius Butler:  As a team we were coming off a 9-4 season and were the co-champs of the conference.  We wanted to win the BIG EAST conference championship out right.  That was our goal as a team.  From a personal standpoint I wanted to play my best football and show the nation that I was the best all around CB in College Football.
 

Alex Khvatov:  Describe your 2008 season in which you team was able to have a winning record and make the Bowl Game.   

Darius Butler:  Honestly, the 2008 season was a disappointing one for the team.  We wanted to win the conference championship and we didn’t.  In the end, we wanted to go out with a win in our bowl game and that’s what we did to make the best of it.

Alex Khvatov:  How would you rate your performance during this season?

Darius Butler:  This past season I wasn’t challenged a lot, but I feel like I played great football when you go back and look at the film.

Alex Khvatov:  How disappointing was it for you to injure your knee and miss the final couple of games of this season?

Darius Butler:  It was very disappointing not being out there playing with my guys for those 3 games.  It was really tough for me because I was so used to being out there on every snap on Saturdays.  On the flip side of things, it made me realize even more how much I love this game.  So on a personal note I think it did some good.  I was able to come back in the bowl game and have a strong performance, so I was happy about that part.

Alex Khvatov:  Do you take great pride in returning kicks?

Darius Butler:  Yes.  I take great pride in returning kicks.  Whenever I am on the field, I give it 100% percent.  I feel returning kicks gives me an opportunity to give my team some momentum, points, or field position after the opposing team scores. 

Alex Khvatov:  Did you enjoy playing a little bit of wide receiver during this season?

Darius Butler:  I loved playing WR this yr.  On game day I never want to come off the field.

Alex Khvatov:  Who is the best cornerback in college football right now?

Darius Butler:  I am.  When I leave, it will be Jasper Howard.    

Alex Khvatov:  What does it take to be a successful cornerback on any level?

Darius Butler:  Confidence, speed, quickness, discipline.

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite NFL team?

Darius Butler:  Miami Dolphins.     

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite player?

Darius Butler:  Asante Samuel.

 
Alex Khvatov:  Who is the toughest player that you have faced during your career?

Darius Butler:   Calvin Johnson.    

Alex Khvatov:  Which underclassman on your team should we keep an eye on in the future?

Darius Butler:  Jasper Howard, Lawrence Wilson and Scott Lutrus. 
 

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about playing football?

Darius Butler:  Being on that island with just you and him.   

Alex Khvatov:  You were a captain at UConn, what does it take to be a leader?

Darius Butler:  I am not exactly sure what it takes to be a leader.  I think it’s something that just comes naturally to some people.    

Alex Khvatov:  Do you believe that you a first round pick in this upcoming NFL draft?

Darius Butler:  Yes, I do believe that I will be a 1st round pick in April.  I am working every day to make that a reality.    

Alex Khvatov:   I hear that you are part of a big family, what kind of an affect have your siblings had on your life?

Darius Butler:  They have had a huge effect on my life.  I love them all with all of my heart.  I'm the 2nd oldest, so most of them look up to me.   

Alex Khvatov:  How important is education to you?

Darius Butler:  Education is very important to me.  I am happy to say that as of Dec 2008, I am an alumnus of the great University of Connecticut.

Alex Khvatov:  What do you plan to do with your life after football?

Darius Butler:  I plan on coaching at the college and the professional level.   

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

Darius Butler:   I like to read and play video games.

Alex Khvatov:  If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be and why?  

Darius Butler:  Barack Obama.  

Alex Khvatov:  Ten years from now, would Darius or Caron Butler be the most famous alumnus at UConn? 

Darius Butler:  Darius Butler, and Uconn will be a football school.
 

Alex Khvatov:  Finish the sentence, Darius Butler is….

Darius Butler:  The BEST corner in the 2009 NFL draft!