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VIRGINIA'S NATIONAL RANK
NFL
No. 22 Virginia
Seven Pro Football Hall of Famers were born in Virginia, including quarterback Fran Tarkenton, who threw four touchdown passes in his first game as a Vikings rookie, longtime Giants offensive tackle Roosevelt Brown and Chiefs middle linebacker Willie Lanier. Jets tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Raiders quarterback Aaron Brooks and Steelers tight end Heath Miller are among the NFL players from Virginia. Dominant Bills defensive lineman Bruce Smith played for Virginia Tech.
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COLLEGE
No. 14 Virginia
Frank Beamer and his special teams cast a long shadow in Virginia. The 1999 Hokies, led by Michael Vick and Corey Moore, played for the national title. Among the early Cavalier greats is "Bullet Bill" Dudley, who led the nation in points scored in 1941 and was a two-time All-American. Virginia's first bowl game didn't come until 1984, after George Welsh (134-86-3) took over as coach.
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Virginia fan Keith Davis: I still e-mail my high school coaches before the Lee High game (I played for Fort Defiance) to wish them good luck and to ensure that they let the guys know how important that game is. Saturdays in Virginia are made for college football. There is nothing like going to a Division III game. It's a family affair. It's like going to a lawn party. Read more from Keith
HIGH SCHOOL
No. 8 Virginia
Virginia is for lovers and football. It's the home of Michael Vick and the Barber twins, Tiki and Ronde, and last year had the No. 2 overall recruiting prospect, current Florida Gator Percy Harvin. Lawrence Taylor attended Lafayette High School in Williamsburg. Spring 2006 D-I signees: 51. Fall 2006 public high school football teams: 298.
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POLL QUESTION
Hashing out the best football state
States' overall football rank
1. Texas | Conversation
2. California | Conversation
3. Florida | Conversation
4. Pennsylvania | Conversation
5. Ohio | Conversation
6. Georgia | Conversation
7. Michigan | Conversation
8. Louisiana | Conversation
9. New Jersey | Conversation
10. Wisconsin | Conversation
11. Illinois | Conversation
12. Alabama | Conversation
13. Virginia | Conversation
14. North Carolina | Conversation
15. Missouri | Conversation
16. New York | Conversation
17. Maryland | Conversation
18. Tennessee | Conversation
19. Oklahoma | Conversation
20. Indiana | Conversation
21. Nebraska | Conversation
22. Colorado | Conversation
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
32. South Carolina | Conversation
33. Oregon | Conversation
34. Nevada | Conversation
35.Hawaii | Conversation
36. Kentucky | Conversation
37. Utah | Conversation
38. Kansas | Conversation
39. Connecticut | Conversation
40. Idaho | Conversation
41. New Mexico | Conversation
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
