A. J. Bouye

Arlandus Jacob Bouye (born August 16, 1991) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL).

Bouye played college football at UCF from 2009 to 2012 under head coach George O'Leary.

As a freshman, he had 10 total tackles and one pass defended in six games.

He saw an expanded role in his sophomore season.

In ten games, he had 26 total tackles, one interception return for a touchdown (a 42-yarder against Marshall), and eight passes defended.

As a junior, he appeared in seven games and had 21 total tackles, two interceptions, and five passes defensed.

In his final season with the Knights in 2012, he had 53 total tackles, three interceptions, 11 passes defensed, one fumble recovery, and one forced fumble.

In that stretch was a 32-yard pick-six and 79-yard fumble recovery touchdown against Memphis and a 76-yard pick-six against Tulsa.

He played college football for the UCF Knights, and was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2013.

Bouye also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers.

Bouye attended and played high school football at Tucker High School.

After his career with the Knights, Bouye entered the 2013 NFL draft.

On April 28, 2013, the Houston Texans signed Bouye to a three-year, $1.41 million contract that includes a $5,000 signing bonus after he went undrafted in the 2013 NFL draft.

Throughout organized team activities and training camp, Bouye competed for a roster spot and a job as the fourth cornerback against Brandon Harris, Roc Carmichael, Johnny Adams, and Travis Howard.

Head coach Gary Kubiak named Bouye the fifth cornerback on the Texans' depth chart to start the regular season, behind Johnathan Joseph, Kareem Jackson, Brice McCain, and Brandon Harris.

He made his professional regular season debut in the Houston Texans' season-opening 31–28 victory at the San Diego Chargers.

On September 28, 2013, Bouye made his first career tackle on fullback Derrick Coleman during a kick return in the second quarter of a 23–20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

On October 16, 2013, the Houston Texans placed Bouye on injured reserve for the remainder of the season due to a strained hamstring.

He finished his rookie season in 2013 with two combined tackles in six games and zero starts and appeared solely on special teams.

On December 13, 2013, Houston Texans' owner Bob McNair announced the firing of head coach Gary Kubiak after a franchise record 11th consecutive loss and a 2–11 record overall.

Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips was named the interim coach for the last three games of the season.

During training camp, secondary coach John Butler held an open competition for the job as the third cornerback on the depth chart.

The competition included Bouye, Brandon Harris, Josh Victorian, Elbert Mack, Andre Hal, and Marcus Williams.

Head coach Bill O'Brien named Bouye the third cornerback to start the regular season behind starters Johnathan Joseph and Kareem Jackson.

On September 21, 2014, Bouye earned his first career start and recorded three combined tackles in their 30–17 loss at the New York Giants in Week 3, but left in the third quarter after sustaining a groin injury.

The injury sidelined him for the next two games (Weeks 4–5).

In Week 9, Bouye recorded seven combined tackles, broke up a pass, and returned his first career interception, off a pass by quarterback Mark Sanchez, for a 51-yard touchdown in the Texans' 31–21 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

It also marked Bouye's first career touchdown.

On November 16, 2014, he collected a season-high ten combined tackles (nine solo) and a pass deflection during a 23–7 win at the Cleveland Browns.

In Week 13, Bouye made three solo tackles, a pass deflection, and returned an interception by Jake Locker for a season-long 67-yard gain during the third quarter of a 45–21 victory against the Tennessee Titans.

He finished the 2014 season with 59 combined tackles (52 solo), ten pass deflections, three interceptions, a touchdown, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in 14 games and six starts.

His three interceptions tied for the most among the Texans' defense in 2014.

Throughout training camp, Bouye competed against rookie first round pick Kevin Johnson for the role as the third cornerback on the Texans' depth chart.

Defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel opted to name Bouye the fourth cornerback on the depth chart to start the regular season, behind Johnathan Joseph, Kareem Jackson, and Kevin Johnson.

On October 18, 2015, Bouye recorded a season-high seven solo tackles, deflected two passes, and intercepted a pass by quarterback Blake Bortles during a 31–20 victory at the Jacksonville Jaguars.

In Week 11, he deflected a pass before leaving the Texans' 24–17 victory against the New York Jets in the third quarter due to a concussion.

He remained in concussion protocol and was inactive for their Week 12 victory against the New Orleans Saints.

Bouye finished the 2015 season with 16 combined tackles (15 solo), six pass deflections, and two interceptions in 15 games and two starts.

The Houston Texans finished first in the AFC South with a 9–7 record and received a Wild Card berth.

On January 9, 2016, Bouye appeared in his first career playoff game and recorded a solo tackle in their 30–0 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Wild Card Round.