The sport of football has evolved to benefit the passing offenses at the pro and the college level. Offensive records have been dropping like flies over the last few years as the passing game has exploded. This makes it all the more important for defenses to have a playmaker in the defensive backfield, players that can come up with an interception and then perhaps do something with it.
Tulane -- yes, Tulane -- may have the best in the country.
Tulane’s Lorenzo Doss is only a sophomore so his potential NFL future is still down the road, but if he continues to play at this level he will draw some attention. The 5'-11", 175 pound sophomore Doss is tied for second in the nation with six interceptions this season. Doss leads the nation in interception return yards with 185 yards, an average of roughly 32 per interception. Doss is also tied for the nation’s lead with two interceptions returned for a touchdown. He shares that last distinction with seven others.
Doss is also a home town star. The New Orleans native started 12 games last season for the Green Wave and helped his high school team win a district title as a senior. Here is how he ranks compared to other top defensive backs around the country, according to the stats.
2013 College Football Interception Leaders
- D’Joun Smith, Florida Atlantic (7 interceptions)
- Lorenzo Doss, Tulane (6)
Anthony Harris, Virginia (6) - Deone Bucannon, Washington State (5)
Jimmie Ward, Northern Illinois (5)
Steven Nelson, Orgeon State (5)
Kendall Fuller, Virginia Tech (5)
2013 College Football Interception Return Yardage Leaders
- Lorenzo Doss, Tulane (185 yards)
- Issaih Newsome, Louisiana-Monroe (175)
- Blake Countess, Michigan (149)
- Damante Horton, Washington State (146)
- Stanley Jean-Baptiste, Nebraska (146)
2013 College Football Interception for Touchdown Leaders
- Lorenzo Doss, Tulane (2 touchdowns)
Isaiah Newsome, Louisiana-Monroe (2)
Damante Horton, Washington State (2)
Tra’Mayne Bondurant, Arizona (2)
Khalil Mack, Buffalo (2)
Collin Ellis, Northwestern (2)
B.J. Lowery, Iowa (2)
Vinnie Sunseri, Alabama (2)
Stats courtesy of CFBStats.com, as of November 8, 2013. Photo curtesy Tulane Athletics.