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The state of Georgia produces the highest percentage of SEC players according to a recent study from CBS Sports.
Despite being half the size of football-friendly Florida based on population (19.9 million vs. 9.9 million), the Peach State is the premium hotbed for future college talent, notably the greater Atlanta area.
It’s obvious Mark Richt’s Bulldogs have the most Georgia natives in the SEC, but neighboring programs have also tapped into Georgia’s gridiron riches.
South Carolina has 27 players from just beyond its southern border, including nearly half of the current team’s 22 starters.
“As we all know, the state of Georgia plays high school football as well as anybody in the country,” Steve Spurrier said during his SEC teleconference before his team’s win over the Bulldogs this season.
The Interstate 20 corridor’s been so kind to the Gamecocks that South Carolina’s signed the most players from Georgia (31) outside of its state school in the SEC since the 2011 signing class. Auburn (25), Tennessee (19) and Alabama (14) are some of the other notables.
In all, 16 percent of all SEC players are from the state of Georgia. Florida represents 13 percent.
The table below was completed by CBS Sports and breaks down each SEC team’s roster by state:
Where Do SEC Players Come From? | |||
Alabama Crimson Tide (22 states) | Missouri Tigers (20 states) | ||
State | Pct | State | Pct |
Alabama | 36% | Missouri | 42% |
Georgia | 15% | Texas | 21% |
Florida | 8% | Georgia | 5% |
Louisiana | 8% | Illinois | 4% |
Arkansas Razorbacks (21 states) | Mississippi State Bulldogs (9 states) | ||
Arkansas | 34% | Mississippi | 60% |
Texas | 16% | Alabama | 14% |
Florida | 9% | Louisiana | 8% |
Louisiana | 6% | Georgia | 6% |
Auburn Tigers (19 states) | Ole Miss Rebels (13 states) | ||
Alabama | 35% | Mississippi | 45% |
Georgia | 31% | Alabama | 11% |
Florida | 13% | Tennessee | 11% |
Tennessee | 3% | Georgia | 10% |
Florida Gators (19 states) | South Carolina Gamecocks (10 states) | ||
Florida | 69% | South Carolina | 37% |
Georgia | 10% | Georgia | 26% |
North Carolina | 4% | North Carolina | 14% |
Multiple States | 2% | Florida | 13% |
Georgia Bulldogs (9 states) | Tennessee Volunteers (16 states) | ||
Georgia | 73% | Tennessee | 36% |
Florida | 14% | Georgia | 17% |
South Carolina | 4% | Florida | 12% |
Multiple States | 2% | North Carolina | 6% |
Kentucky Wildcats (17 states) | Texas A&M Aggies (13 states) | ||
Kentucky | 27% | Texas | 80% |
Ohio | 21% | Louisiana | 8% |
Florida | 14% | California | 3% |
Georgia | 11% | Arizona | 2% |
LSU Tigers (17 states) | Vanderbilt Commodores (20 states) | ||
Louisiana | 58% | Tennessee | 20% |
Texas | 12% | Georgia | 20% |
Georgia | 4% | Alabama | 11% |
Florida | 4% | California | 7% |