ESPN College Football Recruiting

The massive state of California is widely considered one of the best recruiting areas in the country. The state has a long, rich history of high school football and has produced scores of great players. Just in the Scouts Inc. era, the Golden State has produced several prospects who were No. 1 at their position, including the past two No. 1-rated tight ends in Blake Ayles (2008) and Morrell Presley (2009). It was also home to last year's No. 1 overall player: USC starting quarterback Matt Barkley. The state has been well represented in previous classes, and that is the case once again. Due to the sheer numbers in this state, we will separate the offensive and defensive playmakers.

It is not an overly strong year for signal-callers across the nation, but California boasts five of the top 16, including the nation's No. 2-rated quarterback in Jesse Scroggins (Lakewood, Calif./Lakewood). There are also three running backs in the ESPNU 150 and five California backs in the top 20. Surprisingly, though, 2010 is not a very good year for wide receivers in the state: Only Robert Woods (Gardena, Calif./Junipero Serra) is in the ESPNU 150, and only two rank higher than a three-star prospect.

For a look at the state's top offensive player, a name to remember who might not be the highest-rated prospect and which programs are doing the best job of recruiting in California this year, become an ESPN Insider.

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