U.S. states with strongest and least strong high school football cultures? (shop, title)

[jgn2013]

For pure talent and volume of talent: Texas, Florida and California

After that, it's any combination of: Louisiana, Georgia, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama and others.

I'd say TX is the strongest and deepest overall. The top 5 to 10 teams in each state are probably comparable most years. However Texas has far more depth; a much less noticeable drop from the top tier to the second and third rungs. The 50th best school in TX might wipe the floor with the 50th best in any other state, CA and FL included. As for football culture, I'd say all of the south has strong tradition along with much of the midwest.

Texas football is strongest in the rural and suburban communities. Big cities like Dallas and Houston often produce better basketball teams than football teams. Dallas ISD hasn't won a football state title since 1950 (if we ignore 1988 Dallas Carter, likely one of the best H.S. squads ever assembled in TX) but have had some serious talent on the hardwood including producing 3 state titles in the last 4 years. 2001 Dallas Lincoln, led by Chris Bosh won the state and mythical 'national championship' as the #1 ranked boys hoops team in the nation. Dallas and Houston schools often have more raw talent than the surrounding burbs, but they don't have that singular community dynamic that flows from pee-wee up through high school. A school like Dallas Skyline could have a handful of future NFL starters in a given year but get knocked out in the 2nd round of the playoffs by a rural or suburban school with only one or two D-1 college prospects.

[jgn2013]

Originally Posted by Spade

Just to bring this back up but I agree with you. Regarding Ohio, Ohio State notices this as well. They know they live in a heavily talented state. But in addition to the rest of the Big 10 recruiting your state as well as other FBS non-Ohio schools recruiting it, you have instate schools like Bowling Green, Toledo, Cincinnati, Youngstown State, etc. getting these kids. Ohio State still gets most of the best players in Ohio but the Buckeyes recruit out of state with the best of them. They got three top players from Texas in February.

The state of Texas is worst. More college teams and more college teams in the FBS. Texas and to a smaller extent, Texas A&M, have for the longest lived on the laurels that we don't have to recruit out of state. They relied to much on Texas. The Florida schools don't do that. They never have. Florida is rich in talent but they have always left the state to get players. I don't think any of Miami's NC quarterbacks were from Florida. Warrick Dunn was from LSU country. The most Texas and Texas A&M would usually go is Louisiana if they leave Texas. Texas has some players from California but not much. Texas is now starting to buck the trend as well as they have many offers to both instate and out of state players. If Herman can win 9 games this year, I can see that trend continuing in a major way. He already has two players from Oklahoma and one from Florida.

Before Strong got to Texas, Texas rarely recruited Georgia and Florida. Something I have always found weird. I would not be surprised if Texas has now pulled in more Florida recruits in the last three years than they ever have in its rich program history.

UT might be the worst at this, especially when it comes to QB's.

In their own backyard they missed out on Drew Brees, Andrew Luck, Andy Dalton, Matthew Stafford, RGIII (star in college) and Johnny Manziel. Jameis Winston (from Alabama) desperately wanted to go to UT but Mack Brown had other ideas.

Heck, the Horns could have had a backfield of Adrian Peterson and Vince Young....possibly even with Jamaal Charles in spot duty!

[JJG]

If I were the first to reoly, I would type "you mean besides Texas..."

[C24L]

The Little Texas portion of New Mexico has a strong football culture

[cttransplant85]

You guys are underrating Southern California and New Jersey.

[gtt99]

Originally Posted by C24L

The Little Texas portion of New Mexico has a strong football culture

Are you referring to Lea County, NM? Lovington, NM is about 25 miles from TX and it's a hometown of Brian Urlacher - Go Wildcats!

[Spade]

Originally Posted by cttransplant85

You guys are underrating Southern California and New Jersey.

New Jersey is good but it is behind Texas, Florida, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

[C24L]

Originally Posted by gtt99

Are you referring to Lea County, NM? Lovington, NM is about 25 miles from TX and it's a hometown of Brian Urlacher - Go Wildcats!

Lea County,New Mexico is part of Little Texas.Football is also big in Artesia which is in Eddy County in America's Land of Enchantment.I think I have seen Lovington play b4.

[Enriquehdz]

In the Rio Grande Valley (southeast Texas/border with Mexico) it have a weak culture for football, maybe because the Hispanic kids are more into soccer by the influence of the border cities.

[BobTex]

Originally Posted by Enriquehdz

In the Rio Grande Valley (southeast Texas/border with Mexico) it have a weak culture for football, maybe because the Hispanic kids are more into soccer by the influence of the border cities.

Yep, there is a weak football culture and the heavy "Hispanic" populace is the reason for several reasons. When's the last time a RGV/deep South Texas team won a state title? Can't recall one. San Antone and Austin is represented well along with West Texas teams.