California a steady producer of five-star athletes

Over the history of Rivals dating back to 2002, certain states have produced more five-star prospects than others at certain positions. Today, we finish up with athletes: Which states have been most impactful and which ones have done surprisingly well?

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MORE IN THE SERIES: Five-star Quarterbacks | Running backs | Wide receivers | Tight ends | Offensive line | Defensive ends | Defensive tackles | Linebackers | Defensive backs

CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State

CLASS OF 2022 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State

COVERAGE: Rivals Transfer Tracker | Rivals Camp Series

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The name: Reggie McNeal

Overview: Texas has only had one five-star athlete in Rivals history and it was all the way back in the first year of rankings. So how is this a state on the rise? Because the top-rated athlete in the 2021 class is from the Lone Star State and he’s a fringe five-star candidate. Former Texas commit Billy Bowman is the top athlete in 2021 and he could be a star at either defensive back or wide receiver. Also, watch 2022 four-star riser Brenen Thompson, who moved up to No. 4 at the position rankings.

Farrell’s take: This is an astonishing low number, but a lot of it based on positional guesses, like Russell Shepherd as a QB instead of as an athlete. But Texas produces a ton of talent and I would expect a few more in the next many years.

The names: Whitney Lewis, C.J. Gable, Robert Woods, Bru McCoy, De’Anthony Thomas, Adoree’ Jackson, Patrick Hall

Overview: There have been outstanding athletes playing in the state of California as long as Rivals has been around, with some of the highest-rated ones during the early years and in recent years players like Woods, Thomas and Jackson have been ranked higher - and backed up those rankings. McCoy is next in line, and after a topsy-turvy recruitment he could be ready to star in USC’s uptempo offense.

Farrell’s take: Cali is known for great athletes, and Jackson is probably the best of the lot here, but Thomas, Woods and others have been great as well.

The names: Chris Davis, Eddie Williams, Ray-Ray McCloud, Ray Ray Armstrong

Overview: Florida is filled with five-star prospects at almost every position, but there have only been four five-stars at athlete and it’s been a while since there has been one. Davis was in the 2002 class, Armstrong was in 2009, Williams was in 2012 and McCloud was the latest in 2015. So that means there hasn’t been a five-star athlete from Florida in more than a half decade.

Farrell’s take: Davis is old school and I thought he would be a star, but he didn’t pan out. I’m stunned that there haven’t been more athletes in Florida because there are so many kids who play multiple positions. Ray-Ray McCloud has had some success in the NFL recently.

Georgia leads all the other states with five five-star athletes followed by Alabama, Louisiana, New Jersey and Ohio with two each. Arkansas, Maryland, Oregon, Virginia and Washington had one apiece. There have been only 31 total five-star athletes in Rivals history.