On average, how far has each SEC school traveled to recruit its current roster?
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Have you ever wondered how far SEC schools have to travel to build their rosters? If so, you are in luck, as Rukkus.com has mapped out every hometown for all 13,738 FBS players set to open the 2016 season on a roster.
Rukkus also compiled the average distance between each SEC school and its roster heading into the season. According to the stats, Mississippi State has traveled the least amount to put together the 2016 roster, while Vanderbilt has traveled the most. Interestingly enough, the school that has traveled the second most in the SEC is Ole Miss, meaning the Rebels and Bulldogs have taken vastly different approaches to building their rosters this season.
Also of note, despite the perceived lack of talent within the borders of Tennessee, on average, the Vols have traveled fewer miles than the Gators despite being in talent-rich Florida. Tennessee has also traveled just 10 miles farther than LSU, which typically dominates in-state recruiting in Louisiana.
Thanks to the talent within the Peach State, Georgia ranks as the SEC school that travels fewer than any school outside of Mississippi State.
Each SEC school’s average distance from player’s hometown:
Mississippi State – 170.57 miles
Georgia – 235.43 miles
South Carolina – 263.95 miles
Texas A&M – 268.67 miles
Auburn – 284.94 miles
Kentucky – 302.7 miles
LSU – 342.86 miles
Tennessee – 352.10 miles
Florida – 379.02 miles
Alabama – 380.81 miles
Arkansas – 409.78 miles
Missouri – 417.74 miles
Ole Miss – 494.26 miles
Vanderbilt – 510.81 miles
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
