Breaking down Southern Section’s interception leaders

League play is getting closer at this point in the season, and that means the overall stats this season are beginning to tell a bigger story. Southern California will always have its fair share of talented skill players. A number of elite defensive backs have come from the area throughout the years, and there is a strong collection of talent in the secondary once again in 2025.   Here is a closer look at the interception leaders through Week 3 of the season in the Southern Section.    There's something to be said for being in the right place at the right time. That takes a certain amount of awareness, and that shows up on film for Kaushal through his first few games of the season. He exploded in Week 2 with four interceptions and added another one Saturday to take over the top spot in the state with five on the year. He has strong instincts and positions himself well to make plays in the secondary.     Like other players on the list, Vincent's stats were impacted by a strong performance in a single game. Still, he is proving that he has the ability to have staying power atop the interceptions list. He is one of five players with four interceptions this season and three of them came in the season opener. What jumps out about the 5-foot-10 cornerback is his ability to jump routes. He has great closing speed and can make up ground in a hurry. He also is a sure tackler who has 14 tackles on the year to go with a forced fumble.     Butler is a two-way player and his ability to make plays after the catch showed up on both sides of the ball this season. He came up with two interceptions in the first two games of the season and that included returning one for a touchdown against Rancho Christian in Week 1. At 6-foot-4 and 165 pounds, Butler looks the part of a high-level playmaker. He is a physical defensive back who also plays with great instincts.     Committed to Washington, the Mission Viejo star cornerback is continuing to show why he is one of the top players at his position. Jones has already bested his 2024 interception total with four of them so far through four games. He has intercepted three passes over the last two weeks helping Mission Viejo get out to a 4-o start. Jones plays bigger than his 5-foot-11 frame and isn't afraid to take chances to make impactful plays. His ball skills are a strong suit of his game and that has continued to show up this season.     Nunley is another player who used a big performance in a single game to move up the list in a hurry. He shined against Villa Park in Week 1 with three interceptions solidifying his spot as one of the top playmakers in the secondary in the Southern Section. The 6-foot-1 defensive back is currently committed to Cal has an impressive ability to play his position with strong fundamentals. Nunley has no issue playing man coverage and his speed allows him to make up ground in a hurry. That speed is crucial in his ability to make plays on the ball, which he has done routinely this season.     Confidence is big part of what Walk-Green brings to the field, and he plays the game with a physicality that can't be taught. His ability to hit has become key in his development, but he proven himself as a playmaker as well. He has two interceptions in each of his last two games including one that sealed a win over Mater Dei for Centennial. A dual-sport athlete who also plays baseball, Walk-Green has the range to play safety at a high level. His instincts play a big part in his ability to intercept passes while he also has the size to make plays at the point of attack.

League play is getting closer at this point in the season, and that means the overall stats this season are beginning to tell a bigger story. Southern California will always have its fair share of talented skill players. A number of elite defensive backs have come from the area throughout the years, and there is a strong collection of talent in the secondary once again in 2025.