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Wednesday, January 17, 2024

All-Time Leaders: Interception Return Yardage

 

Mike Sainristil (image via SI)

Michigan defensive back Mike Sainristil recently finished one of the greatest defensive seasons in school history, notching 6 interceptions and returning them for 232 yards and 2 touchdowns. Altogether, he finished with 7 interceptions and 240 yards for his career. Where does that rank historically?

  1. 431 yards on 25 interceptions - Tom Curtis (1967-1969)
  2. 240 yards on 7 interceptions - Mike Sainristil (2022-2023)
  3. 202 yards on 9 interceptions - David Brown (1972-1974)
  4. 182 yards on 8 interceptions - Thomas Darden (1969-1971)
  5. 169 yards on 10 interceptions - Marcus Ray (1995-1998)
  6. 169 yards on 6 interceptions - Blake Countess (2013)
  7. 145 yards on 6 interceptions - Raymon Taylor (2012-2013)
  8. 141 yards on 8 interceptions - Tony Jackson (1980-1981)
  9. 132 yards on 10 interceptions - Keith Bostic (1980-1982)
  10. 127 yards on 8 interceptions - Dwight Hicks (1975-1977)
  11. 127 yards on 3 interceptions - Brandon Watson (2018)

5 comments:

  1. Tom Curtis was before I was born, and before the pass game really took off ... holy crap dude was a Return Specialist

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  2. Kind of interesting that players who have had long successful NFL careers don't seem to show up on this list. Hopefully Mike changes that.

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  3. Curtis came to Michigan as a QB. You might not be aware of this, but frequently QBs become good defensive players. Had a lot more speed than he ever got credit for, and obviously an incredible nose for the football. Excellent sideburns.

    Had two picks in the 1969 Ohio State game. He's in the College Football Hall of Fame. Pretty sure that he owned The Football News at one time, maybe Sports Digest too. Did a lot of something with those great Steeler teams that Chuck Noel coached.

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  4. I forgot. 25 picks in 3 years. Freshmen weren't eligible yet.

    Roanman

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