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States to Produce the Most Quality Pass Defenders, Overview and States 1-5: Installment 1
For the purpose of our ongoing quest to determine the most influential U.S. states on the game of football, we look to interceptions. The quality mark for interceptions in the NFL has been set at 7. Over the years the 7 interception mark for a season has been met or surpassed 509 times by 353 players from 37 birth states, Washington, DC, Canada, and France.
For Those of You New to These Databases
Installment 1 contains an overview in the table below: per capita rankings to the left and number of performances produced rankings to the right.
Per capita rankings are compiled by dividing the overall number of indicated performances, in this scenario individual 7 interception performances in a season, by the current estimated population of the indicated birth state. Then the zeros before this number are eliminated to produce a more visually palatable number.
Number of performances rankings are compiled simply by listing the number of performances of each state from most to fewest.
The remainder of this installment and other installments will list each state in order of per capita score and give a detailed statistical list of each player born in said state to meet or surpass a 7 interception season in the NFL. Installment 4 will also include players to meet the mark from Washington, DC and outside the U.S.
Links to other installments of this database can be found in the text box to your upper-right and at the end of this page. Links to other state by state ranking databases presented by Larry Rankin can be found by clicking the Larry Rankin profile in the upper-right hand corner of this page or at the end of this page.
Overview: Per Capita Rank and Performances Rank
Per Capita Rank
| Per Capita Score
| Performances Rank
| No. Performances
|
|---|---|---|---|
1. Louisiana
| 735
| 1. Texas
| 86
|
2. Mississippi
| 535
| 2. California
| 60
|
3. Kansas
| 449
| 3. Pennsylvania
| 40
|
4. South Carolina
| 335
| 4. Louisiana
| 34
|
5. Alabama
| 331
| 5. Florida
| 28
|
6. Texas
| 325
| 6. Ohio
| 27
|
7. Pennsylvania
| 313
| 7. Virginia
| 19
|
8. Oklahoma
| 260
| t8. Alabama
| 16
|
9. Ohio
| 233
| t8. Mississippi
| 16
|
10. Virginia
| 230
| t8. South Carolina
| 16
|
11. West Virginia
| 216
| 11. Georgia
| 15
|
12. Arkansas
| 203
| t12. Kansas
| 13
|
13. New Mexico
| 192
| t12. Michigan
| 13
|
14. Nebraska
| 161
| t12. New York
| 13
|
15. California
| 157
| 15. New Jersey
| 11
|
16. Georgia
| 150
| t16. Illinois
| 10
|
17. Florida
| 143
| t16. Oklahoma
| 10
|
18. Indiana
| 137
| 18. Indiana
| 9
|
19. Michigan
| 131
| t19. Arkansas
| 6
|
20. Idaho
| 124.1
| t19. Missouri
| 6
|
21. New Jersey
| 123.6
| t19. North Carolina
| 6
|
22. Kentucky
| 114
| t19. Tennessee
| 6
|
23. Missouri
| 99
| t23. Kentucky
| 5
|
24. Tennessee
| 92
| t23. Washington
| 5
|
25. Illinois
| 78
| t25. Colorado
| 4
|
26. Colorado
| 76
| t25. Maryland
| 4
|
27. Washington
| 72
| t25. New Mexico
| 4
|
28. Maryland
| 67
| t25. West Virginia
| 4
|
29. New York
| 66
| t29. Nebraska
| 3
|
30. Iowa
| 65
| t29. Wisconsin
| 3
|
31. North Carolina
| 61
| t31. Connecticut
| 2
|
32. Connecticut
| 56
| t31. Iowa
| 2
|
33. Nevada
| 54
| t31. Idaho
| 2
|
34. Wisconsin
| 52
| t34. Arizona
| 1
|
35. Utah
| 34
| t34. Massachusetts
| 1
|
36. Arizona
| 15.1
| t34. Nevada
| 1
|
37. Massachusetts
| 14.9
| t34. Utah
| 1
|
-- Washington, DC
| N/A
| -- Washington, DC
| 5
|
-- Canada
| N/A
| -- Canada
| 1
|
-- France
| N/A
| -- France
| 1
|
1. Louisiana
Per Capita Score: 735
7 Int Performances: 34
Securely in 1st on our per capita list is Louisiana. Among the many great DBs to be born in Louisiana are 8 time Pro Bowler and Hall of Famer Aeneas Williams and 9 time Pro Bowler and future Hall of Famer Ed Reed, who has met or surpassed the 7 interception mark a phenomenal 5 times.
NFL Record: Ed Reed’s 1,590 career yards on interception returns is more than any other player in NFL history.
NFL Record: Ed Reed’s 107 yard interception return in 2008 is the longest in NFL history. Reed’s 106 yard interception return in 2004 is second on the list.
Louisiana 7 Interception Performances
Year
| Team
| Pos
| Name
| Int
| Yds
| TD
| Avg
| Lng
| Tck
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1948
| Was Red
| DB
| Dan Sandifer
| 13
| 258
| 2
| 19.8
| 54
| --
|
1980
| KC Chief
| FS
| Gary Barbaro
| 10
| 163
| 0
| 16.3
| 39
| --
|
1990
| Chi Bear
| FS
| Mark Carrier
| 10
| 39
| 0
| 3.9
| 14
| 122
|
1966
| KC Chief
| RS
| Johnny Robinson
| 10
| 136
| 1
| 13.6
| 29
| --
|
1970
| KC Chief
| FS
| Johnny Robinson
| 10
| 155
| 0
| 15.5
| 57
| --
|
1968
| SF 49ers
| CB
| Kermit Alexander
| 9
| 155
| 1
| 17.2
| 66
| --
|
1949
| SF 49ers
| DB
| Jim Cason
| 9
| 152
| 0
| 16.9
| --
| --
|
2004
| Bal Rav
| SS
| Ed Reed
| 9
| 358
| 1
| 39.7
| 106
| 62
|
2008
| Bal Rav
| FS
| Ed Reed
| 9
| 264
| 2
| 29.3
| 107
| 34
|
1963
| Chi Bear
| RS
| Rosey Taylor
| 9
| 172
| 1
| 19.1
| 46
| --
|
1995
| Min Vik
| FS
| Orlando Thomas
| 9
| 108
| 1
| 12.0
| 45
| 41
|
1994
| Ari Card
| CB
| Aeneas Williams
| 9
| 89
| 0
| 9.9
| 43
| 40
|
1996
| Cin Ben
| CB
| Ashley Ambrose
| 8
| 63
| 1
| 7.9
| 69
| 44
|
2006
| Oak Rai
| CB
| Nnamdi Asomugha
| 8
| 59
| 1
| 7.4
| 24
| 48
|
1977
| KC Chief
| FS
| Gary Barbaro
| 8
| 165
| 1
| 20.6
| 102
| --
|
1951
| SF 49ers
| RS
| Jim Cason
| 8
| 147
| 1
| 18.4
| 65
| --
|
1985
| Ind Colt
| CB
| Eugene Daniel
| 8
| 53
| 0
| 6.6
| 29
| 74
|
2001
| Car Pan
| CB
| Doug Evans
| 8
| 126
| 1
| 15.8
| 49
| 59
|
1966
| Cle Brwn
| CB
| Mike Howell
| 8
| 62
| 0
| 7.8
| 29
| --
|
2004
| Cin Ben
| CB
| Tory James
| 8
| 66
| 0
| 8.3
| 23
| 56
|
1976
| Was Red
| CB
| Joe Lavender
| 8
| 77
| 0
| 9.6
| 28
| --
|
1985
| KC Chief
| CB
| Albert Lewis
| 8
| 59
| 0
| 7.4
| 16
| 74
|
1963
| Chi Bear
| LS
| Richie Petitbon
| 8
| 161
| 1
| 20.1
| 66
| --
|
2010
| Bal Rav
| FS
| Ed Reed
| 8
| 183
| 0
| 22.9
| 44
| 30
|
1969
| KC Chief
| RS
| Johnny Robinson
| 8
| 158
| 0
| 19.8
| 33
| --
|
1983
| Stl Card
| CB
| Lionel Washington
| 8
| 92
| 0
| 11.5
| 26
| 67
|
1979
| KC Chief
| FS
| Gary Barbaro
| 7
| 142
| 1
| 20.3
| 70
| --
|
1976
| Chi Bear
| LB
| Ross Brupbacher
| 7
| 49
| 0
| 7.0
| 25
| --
|
1994
| NE Pat
| CB
| Maurice Hurst
| 7
| 68
| 0
| 9.7
| 24
| 53
|
1961
| Den Bro
| LS
| Phil Nugent
| 7
| 77
| 0
| 11.0
| 30
| --
|
2003
| Bal Rav
| SS
| Ed Reed
| 7
| 132
| 1
| 18.8
| 54
| 59
|
2007
| Bal Rav
| FS
| Ed Reed
| 7
| 130
| 0
| 18.6
| 32
| 29
|
1967
| Den Bro
| CB
| Goldie Sellers
| 7
| 78
| 1
| 11.1
| 47
| --
|
2003
| Mia Dol
| CB
| Patrick Surtain
| 7
| 59
| 0
| 8.4
| 32
| 34
|
2. Mississippi
Per Capita Score: 535
7 Int Performances: 16
As usual, Mississippi finds itself near the top of our list. With a population of less than 3 million, on a per capita scale the state of Mississippi has produced standout athletes in all statistical categories explored thus far.
Perhaps the most notable DB to come out of Mississippi is Hall of Famer Lem Barney. Barney met or surpassed the 7 interception mark 4 times over the course of his career and finished with 56 career interceptions for over 1,000 yards.
Mississippi 7 Interception Performances
Year
| Team
| Pos
| Name
| Int
| Yds
| TD
| Avg
| Lng
| Tck
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1958
| NY Giant
| RS
| Jimmy Patton
| 11
| 183
| 0
| 16.6
| 42
| --
|
1967
| Det Lion
| CB
| Lem Barney
| 10
| 232
| 3
| 24.2
| 71
| --
|
1964
| Den Bro
| CB
| Willie Brown
| 9
| 140
| 0
| 15.6
| 45
| --
|
1969
| Det Lion
| CB
| Lem Barney
| 8
| 126
| 0
| 15.8
| 32
| --
|
1958
| Bal Colt
| RS
| Ray Brown
| 8
| 149
| 0
| 18.6
| 30
| --
|
1998
| Mia Dol
| CB
| Terrell Buckley
| 8
| 157
| 1
| 19.6
| 61
| 44
|
1960
| Cle Brwn
| DB
| Bobby Franklin
| 8
| 131
| 2
| 16.4
| 37
| --
|
2000
| Stl Card
| CB
| Dexter McCleon
| 8
| 28
| 0
| 3.5
| 23
| 49
|
1961
| NY Giant
| RS
| Jimmy Patton
| 8
| 163
| 1
| 20.4
| 51
| --
|
1966
| Mia Dol
| RS
| Willie West
| 8
| 62
| 0
| 7.8
| 31
| --
|
1968
| Det Lion
| CB
| Lem Barney
| 7
| 82
| 0
| 11.7
| 62
| --
|
1970
| Det Lion
| CB
| Lem Barney
| 7
| 168
| 2
| 24.0
| 49
| --
|
1967
| Oak Rai
| CB
| Willie Brown
| 7
| 33
| 1
| 4.7
| 25
| --
|
1983
| Chi Bear
| CB
| Leslie Frazier
| 7
| 135
| 1
| 19.3
| 58
| --
|
1962
| NY Giant
| RS
| Jimmy Patton
| 7
| 125
| 0
| 17.9
| 45
| --
|
1967
| Pit Steel
| CB
| Marv Woodson
| 7
| 49
| 0
| 7.0
| 24
| --
|
3. Kansas
Per Capita Score: 449
7 Int Performances: 13
Jack Christiansen is the most notable name on number 3 Kansas’s list. A Hall of Famer, Christiansen is one of only a hand full of players to have 10 or more interceptions twice in their career.
Otto Schnellbacher also surpassed the 10 interception mark twice in his career, with 11 interceptions in 1948 and 1951. Considering Schnellbacher only played 4 seasons, it is quite an impressive feat.
Kansas 7 Interception Performances
Year
| Team
| Pos
| Name
| Int
| Yds
| TD
| Avg
| Lng
| Tck
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1953
| Det Lion
| LS
| Jack Christiansen
| 12
| 238
| 1
| 19.8
| 92
| --
|
1948
| NY Yank
| DB
| Otto Schnellbacher
| 11
| 239
| 1
| 21.7
| --
| --
|
1951
| NY Giant
| RS
| Otto Schnellbacher
| 11
| 194
| 2
| 17.6
| 46
| --
|
1960
| SF 49ers
| LS
| Dave Baker
| 10
| 96
| 0
| 9.6
| 28
| --
|
1957
| Det Lion
| RS
| Jack Christiansen
| 10
| 137
| 1
| 13.7
| 52
| --
|
1961
| Hou Oil
| CB
| Tony Banfield
| 8
| 136
| 0
| 17.0
| 58
| --
|
1954
| Det Lion
| LS
| Jack Christiansen
| 8
| 84
| 1
| 10.5
| 30
| --
|
1956
| Det Lion
| LS
| Jack Christiansen
| 8
| 109
| 0
| 13.6
| 33
| --
|
1980
| LA Ram
| FS
| Nolan Cromwell
| 8
| 140
| 1
| 17.5
| 34
| --
|
1950
| NY Giant
| RS
| Otto Schnellbacher
| 8
| 99
| 0
| 12.4
| 37
| --
|
1963
| Hou Oil
| CB
| Tony Banfield
| 7
| 21
| 0
| 3.0
| 14
| --
|
1984
| NY Giant
| CB
| Mark Haynes
| 7
| 90
| 0
| 12.9
| 22
| --
|
1945
| Phi Eag
| DB
| Roy Zimmerman
| 7
| 90
| 0
| 12.9
| 23
| --
|
4. South Carolina
Per Capita Score: 335
7 Int Performances: 16
With a number of quality DBs over the years, South Carolina comes in 4th on our per capita list. Though South Carolina has no Hall of Famers on their list, players like 6 time Pro Bowler Jim David and 5 time Pro Bowler Jake Scott make for an impressive compilation of athletes.
South Carolina 7 Interception Performances
Year
| Team
| Pos
| Name
| Int
| Yds
| TD
| Avg
| Lng
| Tck
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2012
| Chi Bear
| CB
| Tim Jennings
| 9
| 105
| 1
| 11.7
| 31
| 55
|
2003
| Min Vik
| SS
| Corey Chavous
| 8
| 143
| 1
| 17.9
| 39
| 75
|
1954
| Phi Eag
| LS
| Bob Hudson
| 8
| 89
| 0
| 11.1
| 32
| --
|
1967
| GB Pack
| CB
| Bob Jeter
| 8
| 78
| 0
| 9.8
| 25
| --
|
1974
| Mia Dol
| FS
| Jake Scott
| 8
| 75
| 0
| 9.4
| 30
| --
|
1999
| TB Buc
| CB
| Donnie Abraham
| 7
| 115
| 2
| 16.4
| 55
| 65
|
2000
| TB Buc
| CB
| Donnie Abraham
| 7
| 82
| 0
| 11.7
| 23
| 46
|
1952
| Det Lion
| DB
| Jim David
| 7
| 48
| 0
| 6.9
| 15
| --
|
1954
| Det Lion
| DB
| Jim David
| 7
| 74
| 0
| 10.6
| 25
| --
|
1956
| Det Lion
| DB
| Jim David
| 7
| 4
| 0
| 0.6
| 3
| --
|
1983
| NE Pat
| FS
| Rick Sanford
| 7
| 24
| 0
| 3.4
| 16
| --
|
1971
| Mia Dol
| FS
| Jake Scott
| 7
| 34
| 0
| 4.9
| 21
| --
|
1978
| Was Red
| FS
| Jake Scott
| 7
| 72
| 0
| 10.3
| 39
| --
|
1980
| Pit Steel
| SS
| Donnie Shell
| 7
| 135
| 0
| 19.3
| 67
| --
|
1984
| Pit Steel
| SS
| Donnie Shell
| 7
| 61
| 1
| 8.7
| 52
| --
|
1995
| Pit Steel
| CB
| Willie Williams
| 7
| 122
| 1
| 17.4
| 63
| 69
|
5. Alabama
Per Capita Score: 331
7 Int Performances: 16
Alabama finishes our top 5 of states to produce defensive backs with 7 or more interceptions in a season.
Among the standout athletes on Alabama’s list are players like Bobby Hunt, Tommy Morrow, Red Cochran, and Vann McElroy.
Alabama 7 Interception Performances
Year
| Team
| Pos
| Name
| Int
| Yds
| TD
| Avg
| Lng
| Tck
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1961
| Buf Bill
| RS
| Billy Atkins
| 10
| 158
| 0
| 15.8
| 29
| --
|
1966
| KC Chief
| LS
| Bobby Hunt
| 10
| 113
| 0
| 11.3
| 33
| --
|
1962
| Oak Rai
| RS
| Tommy Morrow
| 10
| 141
| 0
| 14.1
| 36
| --
|
1963
| Oak Rai
| RS
| Tommy Morrow
| 9
| 104
| 0
| 11.6
| 35
| --
|
1947
| Chi Card
| DB
| Red Cochran
| 8
| 122
| 0
| 15.3
| 39
| --
|
1968
| Cle Brwn
| CB
| Ben Davis
| 8
| 162
| 0
| 20.3
| 44
| --
|
1986
| Min Vik
| CB
| Issiac Holt
| 8
| 54
| 0
| 6.8
| 27
| --
|
1962
| Dal Tex
| LS
| Bobby Hunt
| 8
| 101
| 0
| 12.6
| 17
| --
|
1983
| LA Rai
| FS
| Vann McElroy
| 8
| 68
| 0
| 8.5
| 28
| --
|
1958
| Bal Colt
| LS
| Andy Nelson
| 8
| 199
| 1
| 24.9
| 69
| --
|
1948
| Chi Card
| DB
| Red Cochran
| 7
| 111
| 0
| 15.9
| 32
| --
|
1966
| SD Chrg
| CB
| Speedy Duncan
| 7
| 67
| 0
| 9.6
| 31
| --
|
1964
| KC Chief
| LS
| Bobby Hunt
| 7
| 133
| 1
| 19.0
| 59
| --
|
1986
| LA Rai
| FS
| Vann McElroy
| 7
| 105
| 0
| 15.0
| 28
| --
|
1980
| Atl Fal
| LB
| Al Richardson
| 7
| 139
| 0
| 19.9
| 52
| --
|
1950
| GB Pack
| DB
| Rebel Steiner
| 7
| 190
| 1
| 27.1
| 94
| --
|
References
The above statistical data was compiled using NFL.com, Profootballreference.com, and Wikipedia.
If you believe any of the above information to be inaccurate or have any other queries or comments, Larry Rankin invites you to make comments below.
© 2014 Larry Rankin
