States to Produce the Most Quality Pass Defenders, States 19-37, Washington, DC, and Non-US born: Installment 4

Installment 4 of our database includes states ranking 19-37 in per capita production of NFL players to meet or exceed a 7 interception season. In addition, all Washington, DC and non-U.S. born players are also listed. Each state, region, and country is accompanied by a table providing detailed statistical breakdowns of each player born from said area to meet or exceed the designated mark.

For those of you interested in an overview of the statistical data, a link to installment 1 can be found in the text box to the right. For those of you interested in another installment to this database, links can be found to your right or at the bottom of this page.

Links to other state ranking databases presented by Larry Rankin can be found by clicking on the Larry Ranking profile in the upper-right hand corner of this page or at the bottom of this page.

Per Capita Score: 131

7 Int Performances: 13

On Michigan’s list are Hall of Famer Paul Krause and NFL great Dick Anderson.

NFL Record: Paul Krause’s career 81 interceptions are the most by any one player in NFL history.

Obscure Stat: In 1960 linebacker Archie Matsos had 8 interceptions, tied for most by any linebacker in NFL history.

Per Capita Score: 124.1

7 Int Performances: 2

Two Idaho born players have had seasons with 7 or more interceptions. Most noteworthy is Hall of Famer Larry Wilson, who finished his career with 52 picks.

Per Capita Score: 123.6

7 Int Performances: 11

Deron Cherry finished his 11 year career with 50 interceptions and met or surpassed the 7 interception mark 5 times. In addition, Cherry went to the Pro Bowl 6 time and was a 1^st team All Pro on 3 occasions. One can only speculate why he has yet to receive heavy consideration for the Hall of Fame.

Per Capita Score: 114

7 Int Performances: 5

Kentucky born cornerback Champ Bailey was selected to an amazing 12 Pro Bowls over the course of his 15 year career. Bailey finished with 52 career interceptions, a number that would probably have been higher if teams had not been so afraid to throw the ball to his side of the field.

Per Capita Score: 99

7 Int Performances: 69

Missouri has produced a few good ball hawks over the years, mainly in the 1980s and early 1990s, but oddly enough, the state of Missouri’s greatest pickoff artist was Don Shinnick, a linebacker.

Obscure Stat: Don Shinnick’s 37 career interceptions are the high mark for any NFL linebacker to ever play the game.

Per Capita Score: 92

7 Int Performances: 6

Tennessee has accounted for 5 players that have met or surpassed the 7 interception mark on 6 occasions.

Per Capita Score: 78

7 Int Performances: 10

From the state of Illinois we have a number of players to have met or surpassed the 7 interception mark. Most recently, athletes such as Ray Buchanan and Richard Johnson.

Per Capita Score: 76

7 Int Performances: 4

3 time Pro Bowler and one time All Pro Fred Glick leads the list for Colorado DBs to pick off 7 or more passes in a season.

Per Capita Score: 72

7 Int Performances: 5

5 defensive backs from the state of Washington make the list, all with the minimum qualifying amount of 7 interceptions.

Per Capita Score: 67

7 Int Performances: 4

Tony Greene’s 37 career interceptions are the most for a Maryland born player. Donnell Woolford finished his career with 36.

Per Capita Score: 66

7 Int Performances: 13

There have been a number of quality DBs to come out of New York, but with a population of nearly 20 million, it is only good enough to get New York a placing of 29^th on our per capita list.

Per Capita Score: 65

7 Int Performances: 2

Terry Hoage’s 21 career interceptions are the most among Iowa born defensive backs.

Per Capita Score: 61

7 Int Performances: 6

The most consistent pickoff artist among North Carolina born athletes is Jack Tatum, a 3 time Pro Bowler with 37 career interceptions.

Per Capita Score: 56

7 Int Performances: 2

Eugene Robinson was an elite defensive back who played 16 years in the NFL. His 57 career interceptions and over 1,200 unofficial career tackles are enough to make one wonder why Robinson hasn’t received consideration from the Hall of Fame.

Per Capita Score: 54

7 Int Performances: 1

Brian Kelly had a long career with a few standout seasons.

Per Capita Score: 52

7 Int Performances: 3

Tyrone Braxton was a 12^th round afterthought pick who wound up having a long and very fruitful career for the Denver Broncos. Braxton’s 9 interceptions in 1996 was his best campaign.

Per Capita Score: 34

7 Int Performances: 1

Rex Berry is the only Utah born player to have a season with 7 interceptions.

Per Capita Score: 15.1

7 Int Performances: 1

Eric Thomas’s best seasons were had early in his career with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Per Capita Score: 14.9

7 Int Performances: 1

Chris Gamble spent the entirety of his 9 year career with the Carolina Panthers. His most productive interception seasons were during his freshman and sophomore campaigns.

7 Int Performances: 5

Our nation’s capital has produced many great athletes over the years. Most significant on this list is 8 time Pro Bowler and Hall of Famer Willie Wood.

7 Int Performances: 1

Canada is no stranger to the game of football. They have their own league, but every now and then a player like O.J. Atogwe makes his way down south to the NFL.

7 Int Performances: 1

When we think of France, we think of wine and cheese, not football, but Charles Romes was a quality ball hawk for the Buffalo Bills for many years.

The following states have yet to produce a player with 7 or more interceptions in a season: Alaska, Delaware, Hawai’i, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming.

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.