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TexasHSFootball.com broke down this weekend's NFL Draft by examining where players in the draft went to high school. Click on this neat and informative map!
It should come as no surprise that Texas led all states with 32 players selected in this year's draft. Texas was followed by Florida with 31 and California with 26. Ohio (18), Georgia (13), North Carolina (10), Michigan (nine), Illinois (eight), and Alabama and Washington (seven apiece) rounded out the top 10.
The state of Massachusetts was shut out of this year's NFL Draft for the third consecutive year. Not since 2009 has the state produced an NFL Draft pick. That year, Boston College DT Ron Brace was selected in the second round (40th overall) by the New England Patriots, while Syracuse's OG Ryan Durand was selected 239rd overall in the seventh round by the Tennessee Titans.
In 2008, Gosder Cherilus was again the top pick out of Massachusetts, drafted 17th overall (1st round) by Detroit. Vanderbilt ILB Jonathan Goff (5th round, 165 overall, New York Giants) and Bentley OG Mackenzy Bernadeau (7th round, 250th overall, Carolina Panthers) were also selected.
With the lack of NFL Draft picks coming out of Massachusetts, should BC football be going after high school talent in areas of the country where its far more prevalent? Here's a breakdown of the current roster by the top 10 states represented in this year's NFL Draft.
-- Texas (1) -- WR Donte Elliott
-- Florida (3) -- RB Montel Harris, RB Tahj Kimble, WR Spiffy Evans
-- California (1) -- QB Chase Rettig
-- Ohio (5) -- DE Brian Mihalik, K Nate Freese, LS Sean Flaherty, LB Sean Duggan, WR Bobby Swigert
-- Georgia (2) -- C Bryan Davis, BB Zach Wolfe
-- North Carolina (0)
-- Michigan (0)
-- Illinois (6) -- OT Emmett Cleary, OL Dan Lembke, C Andy Gallik, OL Victor Nelson, LB Nick Clancy, LB Nick Lifka
-- Alabama (0)
-- Washington (1) -- K Joey Launceford
These 19 players represent a bit under 25 percent of the current roster (80 total players). Other states represented on the roster include Massachusetts (20), New Jersey (nine), New York (seven) and Pennsylvania (six). Granted, small sample size in terms of both NFL Draft and current BC football roster, but thought it was interesting to compare which states produced the most talent to Boston College's current roster. Your thoughts?