Originally Published: December 27, 2006

Mississippi: No. 25 football state

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MISSISSIPPI'S NATIONAL RANK
No. 34 pro | No. 15 college | No. 15 high school
Brett Favre

NFL
No. 34 Mississippi

<<< No. 33 Kentucky · No. 35 Arkansas>>>

Mississippi has flooded the NFL with talented players over the years. Jackson State alone boasts a Hall of Fame lineup of Walter Payton (21,803 yards rushing and receiving), Lions cornerback Lem Barney and tackle Jackie Slater (20 seasons for the Rams). And it's only a matter of time until Mississippi Valley State receiver Jerry Rice and Southern Miss quarterback Brett Favre join them. Mississippi tackle Frank "Bruiser" Kinard earned his nickname in the NFL of the 1930s and '40s.
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COLLEGE
No. 15 Mississippi

<<< 14 Virginia · No. 16 Iowa>>>

Literary legends are nice, but quarterback Archie Manning's story is nonfiction. Current Giants quarterback Eli Manning walked through The Grove, as did running back Deuce McAllister. Coach Johnny Vaught's teams won 190 games, including a share of the 1960 national title. The Rebels battle for the Golden Egg with Mississippi State, a charter member of the SEC. Among the Bulldogs in the NFL are wide receiver Eric Moulds. Punter Ray Guy played at Southern Miss.
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HIGH SCHOOL
No. 15 Mississippi

<<< No. 14 North Carolina · No. 16 Maryland>>>

Pound-for-pound, Mississippi has some of the most talented football players in America, with nine ESPN 150 players over the past two years. It also has tough national high school programs such as Meridian and South Panola. Spring 2006 DI signees: 50. Fall 2006 high school football teams: 237.
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POLL QUESTION

1) Who is your favorite player from Mississippi?

Lem Barney
Brett Favre
Archie Manning
Eli Manning
Walter Payton
Jerry Rice

Hashing out the best football state

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States' overall football rank
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20. Indiana | Conversation
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23. Washington | Conversation
24. Minnesota | Conversation
25. Mississippi | Conversation
26. Iowa | Conversation
27. Massachusetts | Conversation
28. Arizona | Conversation
29. Arkansas | Conversation
30. District of Columbia | Conversation
31. West Virginia | Conversation
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33. Oregon | Conversation
34. Nevada | Conversation
35.Hawaii | Conversation
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37. Utah | Conversation
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39. Connecticut | Conversation
40. Idaho | Conversation
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42. New Hampshire | Conversation
43. Rhode Island | Conversation
44. Wyoming | Conversation
45. Delaware | Conversation
46. North Dakota | Conversation
47. South Dakota | Conversation
48. Maine | Conversation
49. Montana | Conversation
50. Vermont | Conversation
51. Alaska | Conversation

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