California: No. 2 football state

Originally Published: December 27, 2006
ESPN.com

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CALIFORNIA'S NATIONAL RANK
No. 2 pro | No. 3 college | No. 2 high school
Joe Montana and Bill Walsh

NFL
Raiders Chargers 49ers
No. 2 California

<<< No. 1 Pennsylvania · No. 3 Florida >>>

From the Rams (Cleveland-Los Angeles-St. Louis) to the Raiders (Oakland-L.A.-Oakland-???), the loyalties of California franchises shift almost as often as the tectonic plates that could redefine California's geography. In between moves and rumblings about stadiums, however, the Silver and Black, "Air Coryell" and the West Coast offense have wowed fans and dominated opponents. Coaches Bill Walsh and John Madden, quarterback Joe Montana, and running backs LaDainian Tomlinson and Eric Dickerson are only a drop in the vast ocean of talent associated with the Golden State.
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COLLEGE
Cal Fresno State UCLA USC San Diego State San Jose State Stanford

No. 3 California

<<< No. 2 Florida · No. 4 Ohio >>>

"Tailback U" has rushed back into prominence under Pete Carroll, with Reggie Bush the latest Heisman winner (of seven) at a school that expects national titles (won or shared 11). Add the Granddaddy of Them All, the Rose Bowl, and "The band is on the field!" Cal-Stanford game to the Pac-10 tradition. With players such as quarterback David Carr and an "anywhere, anytime" attitude about opponents, Fresno State has also drawn national notice in the past decade.
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Alex Gyr
Stanford fan Alex Gyr: California college football is the best in the nation. Even as I have watched Stanford go from a Rose Bowl team to the Pac-10 whipping boy, it has been obvious that statewide, the quality of football is as high as it has ever been. Thanks to USC, two of the last three national championships have returned to California. Read more from Alex

HIGH SCHOOL
No. 2 California

<<< No. 1 Texas · No. 3 Florida >>>

In football size matters, and California outweighs Florida. The state that geographically dominates the West Coast is the most populous in the nation and has produced a myriad of college and pro hall of famers. Great high school programs include Mission Viejo, Long Beach Poly, De La Salle, Notre Dame and Oaks Christian. Spring 2006 DI signees: 261. Fall 2006 high school football teams: 1,030.
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POLL QUESTION

1) Which quarterback would you rather have?

Joe Montana
Jim Plunkett
Ken Stabler
Steve Young

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