It didn’t take long for Patriots cornerback Devin McCourty to make an impact in the NFL, as he surged onto the professional scene with seven interceptions as a rookie in 2010.

A rookie achieving such statistical success is unlikely on its own, but perhaps even more so in the case of McCourty, who played collegiately for current Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano at Rutgers.

In fact, when asked about the role Schiano played in bringing McCourty to Rutgers, the 25-year-old admitted it was his only scholarship offer, but just as importantly, he had a belief in Schiano’s ability to build a program.

“I wasn’t a guy that had any other offers; I only had Rutgers,” McCourty said in a conference call on Wednesday evening. “Even with that being said, he was always trying to change the program around with the right things and was all about winning and being competitive. I think myself and a lot of other guys that play in the NFL now that went to college around that time really believed in him [and] in his belief in turning that program around. I think it was great for us to be there and be a part of something new that changed the culture of a whole football program.”

Schiano faces a similar task in Tampa Bay, where he takes the reigns for the Buccaneers, a young team ripe with talent on both sides of the football, but one that endured a 10-game losing streak to close out the 2011 season.

McCourty believes the organization made a quality hire in tabbing Schiano to lead the turnaround.

“I think he’ll do well. He’s been in the NFL before,” McCourty said. “I remember all the times when we were in college, he used to tell us, ‘A lot of things we’re doing here will prepare you to play at the next level.’ He [ran] things like an NFL team. When I got to the NFL I was like, ‘You know, he was right.’ We did a lot things similarly, so I think he’ll transition pretty well. He was a coach in Chicago before and he spent a lot of time in college getting the different aspects and just going through it, helping kids grow into grown men. But as far as coaching football, I think he’ll do a great job.”

Wednesday’s joint practice with the Bucs was likely the most McCourty has been able to see of his former coach, although he said that he was able to reach out via text message after Schiano was hired to wish him good luck.

“It was a real busy time for him, but I got a chance to just shoot him a text message and say good luck and I was happy for him. I think it was something that was well deserved,” he said. “With all the work he did at Rutgers, I think he’s very deserving of a job like this. I just got a chance to wish him luck and then today got to talk to him for a few short minutes.

Other soundbites from McCourty’s conference call included:

His impressions of the Bucs’ wide receivers after practicing against them today. “Coming in, we already knew they had some big guys. They come out with Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams, guys that are competitive and go up and get the ball and do a great job of kind of getting downfield and trying to make plays. Then they can send Tiquan [Underwood] out there and he’s a long guy, wiry and can run. It was a good change-up for us just to go against different guys. I think that really helps us, as corners and as a secondary, when we can just see different receivers. A lot of guys in this league are good, but they all do different things well, so I think we got a pretty good look at some different style receivers today.”

How he feels about the state of the Patriots secondary. “We’ve got to keep improving. I think a bright spot is we’re doing some things well, but it’s a long way for us and the good part is that you have a lot of guys that have played that are building a good bond back there and are getting used to playing with each other. I think the great thing about all of us is that we love to compete. We’re trying to go out there and get better each day and I think for our defense, we really have to just step up and keep getting better each day and progressing, so hopefully at some point during the season we can be a pretty good secondary.”

On if he thinks the starters will see extended playing time on Friday night. “I don’t know. That’s all on the coaches. For us, Coach Belichick just tells us throughout the preseason to keep preparing like you’re going to play 60 minutes. I think that’s what helps us kind of get ready for that first game; just keep preparing each day and each game like you’re going to play 60 minutes and if you don’t, then stay in the game mentally.”