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U.S. States to Produce the Most NFL Players with 10 or More Sacks in a Season: Installment 4, States 24-37

Updated on February 6, 2018
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Larry Rankin
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Larry Rankin is a sports analyst with an especially strong penchant for statistical breakdowns.

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Installment 4 of our database includes states 24-37 in per capita ranking for production of NFL players to have had 10 or more sacks in an NFL season, as well as all players to accomplish this feat that were born in Washington, DC or non-U.S. countries.

For those of you wanting an overview of the findings or who are seeking another installment of this database, links can be found in the text box to your right.

For those of you interested in other state by state production rankings presented by Larry Rankin, they can be found by clicking the Larry Rankin profile in the upper right-hand corner or via links at the bottom of this page.

Source

24. New York

Per Capita Score: 127

10 Sack Performances: 25

If someone told you there was a player who retired with 160 career sacks, 3rd most in NFL history, and 10 career 10 or more sack seasons, also 3rd in NFL history, wouldn’t you assume they were in the Hall of Fame?

The player I am talking about is Kevin Greene, and if you said yes, you’d be wrong. Defying all logic, Kevin Greene has yet to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, though he has been a finalist 3 times.

Obscure Stat: 157 of Kevin Greene’s career 160 sacks were made in seasons while he was listed as linebacker for his primary position, the most sacks for any linebacker over a career.

Obscure Stat: In all 10 seasons in which Kevin Greene had 10 sacks or more, his primary position was linebacker, an NFL record for someone at this position.

Obscure Stat: Bill Pickel spent the majority of his career as a dedicated nose guard, the hardest lineman positions to sack the QB from. His 56.0 career sacks are the most for any nose guard.

Obscure Stat: Nose guards have had 10 or more sacks 5 times in the history of the NFL. Bill Pickel is responsible for 3 of these performances, the most for any nose guard.

Obscure Stat: Bill Pickel had 12.5 sacks in both the 1984 and 1985 seasons, the most for any nose guard in a single season.

Dubious Distinction: Of all of Kevin Greene’s phenomenal accomplishments, there is one he’d probably rather forget. With one other player, Greene is the only pass rusher to have 10 or more sacks in a season and only record 18 total tackles.

New York 10 Sack Performances

Year
Team
Pos
Name
Sacks
Tackles
1988
LA Rams
LB
Kevin Greene
16.5
51
1989
LA Rams
LB
Kevin Greene
16.5
64
1998
Car Panthers
LB
Kevin Greene
15.0
50
1984
Pit Steelers
LB
Mike Merriweather
15.0
--
2003
Mia Dolphins
DE
Adewale Ogunieye
15.0
43
1996
Car Panthers
LB
Kevin Greene
14.5
37
1994
Pit Steelers
LB
Kevin Greene
14.0
53
1990
LA Rams
LB
Kevin Greene
13.0
61
1999
Den Broncos
DT
Trevor Pryce
13.0
33
2006
Bal Ravens
DE
Trevor Pryce
13.0
37
2009
NO Saints
DE
Will Smith
13.0
36
1996
SF 49ers
DE
Roy Barker
12.5
36
1993
Pit Steelers
LB
Kevin Greene
12.5
67
1984
LA Raiders
NT
Bill Pickel
12.5
83
1985
LA Raiders
NT
Bill Pickel
12.5
82
1998
SF 49ers
DE
Roy Barker
12.0
24
1999
Car Panthers
LB
Kevin Greene
12.0
35
2000
Den Broncos
DT
Trevor Pryce
12.0
36
2013
NE Patriots
DE
Chandler Jones
11.5
42
1986
LA Raiders
NT
Bill Pickel
11.5
75
1997
SF 49ers
LB
Kevin Greene
10.5
18
2006
NO Saints
DE
Will Smith
10.5
31
1985
Chi Bears
LB
Otis Wilson
10.5
--
1992
LA Rams
LB
Kevin Greene
10.0
87
2005
Chi Bears
DE
Adwale Ogunleye
10.0
36
Source

25. Michigan

Per Capita Score: 121

10 Sack Performances: 12

There have been a number of players born in the state of Michigan to have fine performances rushing the passer. LaMarr Woodley leads the way with 3 season performances with 10 sacks or more.

Michigan 10 Sack Performances

Year
Team
Pos
Name
Sacks
Tackles
2011
Phi Eagles
DE
Jason Babin
18.0
35
1983
Stl Cardinals
DE
Curtis Greer
16.0
--
1984
Stl Cardinals
DE
Curtis Greer
14.0
--
2009
Pit Steelers
LB
LaMarr Woodley
13.5
50
2010
Ten Titans
DE
Jason Babin
12.5
44
2011
Hou Texans
DE
Connor Barwin
11.5
36
2008
Pit Steelers
LB
LaMarr Woodley
11.5
41
1997
KC Chiefs
DE
Dan Williams
10.5
35
1991
Den Broncos
LB
Mike Croel
10.0
84
1983
Was Redskins
DE
Tony McGee
10.0
--
2013
NY Jets
LB
Calvin Pace
10.0
37
2010
Pit Steelers
LB
LaMarr Woodley
10.0
35
Source

26. Illinois

Per Capita Score: 116

10 Sack Performances: 15

Simeon Rice was a force to be reckoned with at defensive end. His 122 career sacks and 8 career 10 or more sack seasons are not NFL records, but certainly put him in elite company.

Will Rice ever get into the Hall of Fame? It is hard to say, but one would think he’d eventually get consideration.

Illinois 10 Sack Performances

Year
Team
Pos
Name
Sacks
Tackles
1999
Ari Cardinals
DE
Simeon Rice
16.5
38
2002
TB Bucs
DE
Simeon Rice
15.5
41
2003
TB Bucs
DE
Simeon Rice
15.0
45
2005
TB Bucs
DE
Simeon Rice
14.0
33
1996
Ari Cardinals
DE
Simeon Rice
12.5
42
1999
Ind Colts
DE
Chad Bratzke
12.0
57
2004
TB Bucs
DE
Simeon Rice
12.0
34
1996
SF 49ers
DT
Bryant Young
11.5
61
1998
NY Giants
DE
Chad Bratzke
11.0
34
2001
TB Bucs
DE
Simeon Rice
11.0
39
1999
SF 49ers
DT
Bryant Young
11.0
36
2004
Den Broncos
DE
Reggie Hayward
10.5
31
1999
SD Chargers
DE
Raylee Johnson
10.5
--
1990
LA Raiders
DT
Scott Davis
10.0
36
1998
Ari Cardinals
DE
Simeon Rice
10.0
34
Source

27. Nebraska

Per Capita Score: 107

10 Sack Performances: 2

As with so many players, a good part of Doug Betters’ career was spent playing before the sack was an official stat. How many sacks would he have had? It is hard to say. But for 2 seasons Betters was among the best pass rushers in the NFL.

Nebraska 10 Sack Performances

Year
Team
Pos
Name
Sacks
Tackles
1983
Mia Dolphins
DE
Doug Betters
16.0
--
1984
Mia Dolphins
DE
Doug Betters
14.0
--
Source

28. Kansas

Per Capita Score: 104

10 Sack Performances: 3

For the state of Kansas we have Mike Bell notching two 10 or more sack seasons in the 1980s and Kamerion Wimbley surpassing the mark in more recent history.

Kansas 10 Sack Performances

Year
Team
Pos
Name
Sacks
Tackles
1984
KC Chiefs
DE
Mike Bell
13.5
--
2006
Cle Browns
LB
Kamerion Wimbley
11.0
44
1983
KC Chiefs
DE
Mike Bell
10.0
--
Source

29. Utah

Per Capita Score: 103

10 Sack Performances: 3

Rulon Jones was an important piece to the defense of the stellar 1980s Denver Bronco teams. Merlin Olsen was a Hall of Fame DT born in Utah, but he played before the Sack was named an official stat.

Utah 10 Sack Performances

Year
Team
Pos
Name
Sacks
Tackles
1986
Den Broncos
DE
Rulon Jones
13.5
--
1984
Den Broncos
DE
Rulon Jones
11.0
--
1985
Den Broncos
DE
Rulon Jones
10.0
--
Source

30. Missouri

Per Capita Score: 99

10 Sack Performances: 6

If Aldon Smith can keep healthy and from getting suspended, he is one of the more promising pass rushers in the league today.

Missouri 10 Sack Performances

Year
Team
Pos
Name
Sacks
Tackles
2012
SF 49ers
LB
Aldon Smith
19.5
50
1992
Mia Dolphins
LB
Bryan Cox
14.0
127
2011
SF 49ers
LB
Aldon Smith
14.0
31
2003
Car Panthers
DE
Mike Rucker
12.0
46
2000
Stl Rams
DE
Grant Wistrom
11.0
51
2002
Car Panthers
DE
Mike Rucker
10.0
57
Source

31. Minnesota

Per Capita Score: 92

10 Sack Performances: 5

Terrell Suggs has been a good pass rusher and tackler for the Ravens for over a decade. His 97 career sacks is an impressive accomplishment, and he is the only Minnesota born player to ever have 10 or more sacks in a season.

Minnesota 10 Sack Performances

Year
Team
Pos
Name
Sacks
Tackles
2011
Bal Ravens
LB
Terrell Suggs
14.0
50
2003
Bal Ravens
LB
Terrell Suggs
12.0
19
2010
Bal Ravens
LB
Terrell Suggs
11.0
53
2004
Bal Ravens
LB
Terrell Suggs
10.5
45
2013
Bal Ravens
LB
Terrell Suggs
10.0
47
Source

32. Colorado

Per Capita Score: 76

10 Sack Performances: 4

The only Colorado born player to have 10 or more sacks in a season is Andre Carter, a fine player who accomplished the feat 4 times and finished his career with 80.5 sacks.

Colorado 10 Sack Performances

Year
Team
Pos
Name
Sacks
Tackles
2002
SF 49ers
DE
Andre Carter
12.5
45
2009
Was Redskins
DE
Andre Carter
11.0
48
2007
Was Redskins
DE
Andre Carter
10.5
43
2011
NE Patriots
DE
Andre Carter
10.0
31
Source

33. Wisconsin

Per Capita Score: 52

10 Sack Performances: 3

Wisconsin born players haven’t accounted for many 10 or more sack seasons thus far. But Wisconsin does have J.J. Watt, a young defensive end who stands 6’6” inches tall and weighs in at 290 lbs.

Assuming he stays healthy and continues to play at a high level, Wisconsin will likely be climbing our per capita list in the foreseeable future.

Wisconsin 10 Sack Performances

Year
Team
Pos
Name
Sacks
Tackles
2012
Hou Texans
DE
J.J. Watt
20.5
69
1995
Chi Bears
DT
Jim Flanigan
11.0
39
2013
Hou Texans
DE
J.J. Watt
10.5
65
Source

34. Massachusetts

Per Capita Score: 45

10 Sack Performances: 3

If your state only has one 10 sack performer, you could do worse than Hall of Famer Howie Long. His 84 career sacks doesn’t rank very high on the all time list, but as a complete defensive player, he was one of the best.

Massachusetts 10 Sack Performances

Year
Team
Pos
Name
Sacks
Tackles
1983
LA Raiders
DE
Howie Long
13.0
--
1984
LA Raiders
DE
Howie Long
12.0
--
1985
LA Raiders
DE
Howie Long
10.0
--
Source

35. Oregon

Per Capita Score: 25

10 Sack Performances: 1

Ndamukong Suh is a mountain of muscle at defensive tackle. Though he has only achieved the 10 sack mark once in his career, sacks are not all Suh is about. As much as anything, he is there to use his size and strength to disrupt things, something he has done well thus far in his career.

Oregon 10 Sack Performances

Year
Team
Pos
Name
Sacks
Tackles
2010
Det Lions
DT
Ndamukong Suh
10.0
48
Source

36. Arizona

Per Capita Score: 15

10 Sack Performances: 1

Cameron Jordon is a current player whose career has had peaks and valleys. His best performance came in 2013 with 12.5 sacks.

Arizona 10 Sack Performances

Year
Team
Pos
Name
Sacks
Tackles
2013
NO Saints
DE
Cameron Jordan
12.5
29
Source

37. Washington

Per Capita Score: 14

10 Sack Performances: 1

Karl Mecklenburg played for the dominant Bronco teams of the 1980’s and was at the heart of the defense. Mecklenburg has been a Hall of Fame finalist on 3 occasions.

Though he only had more than 10 sacks on one occasion, he accomplished this from the inside linebacker position rather than the outside linebacker position. What is the significance of this? The author of this work hasn’t confirmed it officially, but he believes Mecklenburg to be the only LB in NFL history to accomplish this feat from an interior LB position.

Washington 10 Sack Performances

Year
Team
Pos
Name
Sacks
Tackles
1985
Den Broncos
LB
Karl Mecklenburg
13.0
65

Washington, DC

10 Sack Performances: 6

Though Washington, DC is part of the U.S., it is affiliated with no specific state. As a result, players born in DC do not contribute to our state rankings.

Of note from DC is Shawne Merriman, who at the beginning of his career seemed poised to be one of the greatest pass rushers of all time, but as with so many great players, continued injuries would hamper his effectiveness and eventually end his career.

Washington, DC 10 Sack Performances

Year
Team
Pos
Name
Sacks
Tackles
2006
SD Chargers
LB
Shawne Merriman
17.0
48
1984
Phi Eagles
DE
Greg Brown
16.0
--
1985
Phi Eagles
DE
Greg Brown
13.0
--
2007
SD Chargers
LB
Shawne Merriman
12.5
54
1985
LA Rams
LB
Mike Wilcher
12.5
--
2005
SD Chargers
LB
Shawne Merriman
10.0
43

American Samoa

10 Sack Performances: 1

There have been a number of players over the years from the territory of American Samoa to make an NFL squad. This is impressive considering the minuscule island is populated by less than 60,000 people.

Al Noga’s 11.5 sacks in 1989 marks the only time a Samoa born player would exceed the 10 sack mark in NFL history.

American Samoa 10 Sack Performances

Year
Team
Pos
Name
Sacks
Tackles
1989
Min Vikings
DE
Al Noga
11.5
63

England

10 Sack Performances: 3

Osi Umenyiora has had a fine career in the NFL, though his best years may be past him. His Parents are Nigerian born, but he was born while his family lived in England.

Umenyiora’s family would eventually move back to Nigeria and then to Alabama, where the high school aged Umenyiora would learn the sport of football.

England 10 Sack Performances

Year
Team
Pos
Name
Sacks
Tackles
2005
NY Giants
DE
Osi Umenyiora
14.5
48
2007
NY Giants
DE
Osi Umenyiora
13.0
40
2010
NY Giants
DE
Osi Umenyiora
11.5
33

Haiti

10 Sack Performances: 1

Junior Galette’s life is a rags to riches story. His family would move to New York when he was young, and he would eventually make the New Orleans Saints team as an unsigned free agent.

After several seasons with the saints, Galette had a breakout year in 2013 with 12 sacks, and his future looks promising.

Haiti 10 Sack Performances

Year
Team
Pos
Name
Sacks
Tackles
2013
NO Saints
LB
Junior Galette
12.0
29

Jamaica

10 Sack Performances: 5

Sean Jones’ 113 career sacks are the most by any foreign born player.

Jamaica 10 Sack Performances

Year
Team
Pos
Name
Sacks
Tackles
1986
LA Raiders
DE
Sean Jones
15.5
74
1993
Hou Oilers
DE
Sean Jones
13.0
54
1990
Hou Oilers
DE
Sean Jones
12.5
56
1994
GB Packers
DE
Sean Jones
10.5
44
1991
Hou Oilers
DE
Sean Jones
10.0
60

Liberia

10 Sack Performances: 3

Tamba Hali has had a stellar career thus far in the NFL. His life started in Liberia, which he was forced to flee due to civil war.

Hali met up with his father in the U.S. at the age of 10 and quickly developed a desire to become an NFL player in order to fund the reunion of his entire family.

Liberia 10 Sack Performances

Year
Team
Pos
Name
Sacks
Tackles
2010
KC Chiefs
LB
Tamba Hali
14.5
36
2011
KC Chiefs
LB
Tamba Hali
12.0
48
2013
KC Chiefs
LB
Tamba Hali
11.0
39

Virgin Islands

10 Sack Performances: 1

Renaldo Turnbull would have a solid career spanning 8 seasons. He would retire with 45.5 sacks.

Virgin Islands 10 Sack Performances

Year
Team
Pos
Name
Sacks
Tackles
1993
NO Saints
LB
Renaldo Turnbull
13.0
63

Teams Yet to Have a 10 Sack Performer:

The 13 states yet to have a 10 sack performer are Delaware, Hawai’i, Idaho, Kentucky, Maine, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming.

Sources:

The information on this database has been compiled through reference of the following websites: Profootballreference.com, NFL.com, and Wikipedia.

If you believe any of the information in this database to be inaccurate, the author would appreciate your feedback.

© 2014 Larry Rankin

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