Return of the Back: State of Texas leading charge for individual rushers in FBS

The proliferation of 7-on-7 and the Air Raid offense shifted the landscape of football in Texas at the high school and college level. The Lone Star State became a magnet for quarterback and receiver talent over the last two decades. In 2020, nearly 25 percent of the 32 starting quarterbacks in the NFL were Texans. Last year’s NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year was former Lake Travis receiver Garrett Wilson. 

Since the high schools played the spread style and flung the football, those positions flourished, and the best athletes flocked to the football. The Great State was no longer a running back haven. The Jonathan Grays and Jonathon Brooks were outnumbered by the Jaylen Waddles and CeeDee Lambs. The same thing happened on the other side of the ball with inside linebackers transitioning to rush ends or safeties.