A few of the obvious guesses for the likely 2013 Southeastern Conference leader in interceptions, at least going into the season, might have included Florida's Loucheiz Purifoy, Alabama's Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Vanderbilt's Andre Hal or Arkansas' Tevin Mitchell.
But more than halfway through the 2013 season, it's Ole Miss safety Cody Prewitt, who has more (four) than all of those players combined. And it's a surprise to even him. Jackson Clarion-Ledger reporter Hugh Kellenberger wrote that Prewitt, when told the news, "stopped chewing his mouthguard and raised an eyebrow in slight bewilderment."
"At times, I thought Cody could have played better, but I think he's solid," said Rebels defensive coordinator Dave Wommack. "He's so smart, and he doesn't make a whole lot of mistakes. I keep thinking about the three interceptions he dropped at Texas or he'd have seven now. I guess that's a coach's perspective, but I'm just proud of him. ... He's usually where he's supposed to be (at), and that's why he makes plays."
Prewitt (6-foot-2, 220 pounds), a junior, ranks second on the Rebels' defense in tackles with 42, with team-highs in pass breakups (five) and forced fumbles (two). He collected one of three interceptions of LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger in the Rebels' upset on Saturday, and made the key hit on Vanderbilt receiver Jordan Matthews in the season opener that temporarily forced Matthews out of the game. He's also one of just three players to intercept Alabama's AJ McCarron this season.
"He's a leader of our defense, in the back end of it particularly,"Â said head coach Hugh Freeze. "He's the type of player you want from all aspects, that represents our program very well."
Prewitt isn't considered a threat for early draft entry, and figures to be even more of a leader for Ole Miss as a senior next season.
*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter **@ChaseGoodbread*.
