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East Coast Spotlight: Cities that are surprising hotbeds of talent

Everyone knows about NOVA, North Jersey, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Charlotte and other East Coast region hot spots for talent. But what about some surprise cities and areas? Here are five along the East Coast that you might not be as familiar with.

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MORE SURPRISING TALENT HOTBEDS: Midwest | Southeast

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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GREENSBORO/WINSTON SALEM

Payton Page
Payton Page (Nick Lucero/Rivals.com)

This is a place that has produced a star or two over the years like Keenan Allen but doesn’t get the attention like Raleigh/Durham or Charlotte in North Carolina. Four-star 2021 defensive tackle Payton Page hails from Greensboro and is committed to Clemson while big-time 2022 defensive tackle Travis Shaw is also from the same city. Linebacker Raneiria Dillworth and defensive end Jahvaree Ritzie are North Carolina commits from the same region. Clemson defensive commit Zaire Patterson is also from this area.

LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA

Zach Rice
Zach Rice (Rivals.com)

This is a remote area of Virginia but has some talent like 2022 five-star Zach Rice and 2022 four-star offensive tackle Gunner Givens, who is from remote Daleville. David Wilson, Logan Thomas and some others have also hailed from the area over the years.

CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY

Keon Sabb
Keon Sabb (Rvials.com)

Schools like Camden, Camden Wilson and Timber Creek don’t get enough attention compared to the Northern private schools. Class of 2022 athlete Keon Sabb is a star from down south and Fadil Diggs from Camden was a four-star who headed to Texas A&M as part of the 2020 class. Jonathan Taylor of the Colts and Eli Apple of the Raiders have hailed from this area and it seems to be getting stronger each year.

LANCASTER AND CHESTER COUNTIES, PENNSYLVANIA

Nolan Rucci
Nolan Rucci (Rivals.com)

Nolan Rucci, who just committed to Wisconsin, hails from this area as does 2022 four-star running back Nick Singleton. This is a really remote area of Pennsylvania and doesn’t get the attention of Philadelphia, Pittsburgh or even places like Harrisburg. Lebanon has also produced a few big talents. And some famous Rivals prospects like Callahan Bright and Alex Anzalone have hailed from the area as well. It’s spot recruited, but there is talent.

MONTGOMERY AND PRINCE GEORGE COUNTIES, MARYLAND

Jalil Farooq
Jalil Farooq (Rivals.com)

The private schools like Good Counsel, DeMatha, St. Frances and others have gotten all the attention, but prospects like receiver Jalil Farooq, linebacker Demeioun Robinson and defensive tackle Marcus Bradley hail from the publics in this county and big names like Trevon Diggs also developed there. It’s overlooked.

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