Scout (no $) Link - Class of 2011 - geographic breakdown where D-1 recruits come from...
I still prefer to judge recruiting regions based on where the players are drafted to the NFL. It would take a little bit of the hype factor out of it. The south would likely still come out on top, but not by nearly as much.
That data is out there. LA is a hot bed. Those are interesting numbers. Hawaii is pretty amazing too with such a small population.
The problem with that is that different players excel in college v. the NFL. So saying that you're interested in where the NFL talent comes from is a fundamentally different question than asking where the college talent comes from.
I realize that the disjunct in success between college and the NFL is due in large part to college stars not panning out in the pros, but sometimes it goes the other way and sometimes it's simply because the two sports are simply qualitatively different.
Who washed out of college and walked onto a pro team. I admit I don't follow NFL ball that much - but you would be hard pressed to make it without game reps, professional coaching and training help. Basketball is a different kettle of fish but CFB is the only stepping stone to the NFL. What athletes are we talking about here (unsucessful in CFB - sucessful in the NFL)?
Bam Roasted
Matt Cassell didn't exactly "wash out" at USC. He was playing behind a Heisman-winning QB who was (IIRC) a 1st-round draft choice and (for a few years at least) successful NFL player.
If you're saying that certain players (e.g., Erick Anderson, who was awesome at Michigan in the early '90s) can be effective in college without any clear pro potential, sure, I'll buy that.
But, I think that anyone who succeeds in the NFL would (without personal issues, etc.) be a wrecking ball at the college level.
To put it another way, I don't see any aspect of the NFL that is *less* demanding than college football. Nothing that a college underachiever could exploit to achieve success at "the next level" ...
What states are in the "Midwest" and "Midlands"? Some of the states that may be in the midlands I would consider to be part of the midwest (i.e. Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri). Granted, those states don't produce all that much talent, but that does water down the midwest some. Also, for these purposes, is Texas in the south or the midlands? Has to be the midlands, right?
all other states above are midland...this is arbitrarily determined by scout.
I think it this should also be shown as a percentage of the population of the region as well.
could figure this out from the data tables. The interesting stat is LA putting out as much talent as it does relative to it's small population. From the state that brought you Carvin.